Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a very important point. The direct answer to the Chairman's question is that we can and do negotiate bilateral agreements. I could give a number of examples of the importance of that. One of the factors that any general business involved in aviation, such as aircraft leasing, would point to when asked why Ireland is such a strong location to do business in is the breadth of treaties we have negotiated with other countries. We have the ability to do it, we can do it and we have already done it. We have a very extensive suite of arrangements in place, but the European Union has the competency to develop those relationships with other countries, which we then ratify through this. I hope it will give a further spur to the development of markets such as Canada, to which we already have access. Regarding the other countries referred to in the motion, if the demand is there, it would enable the development of routes and access to those.