Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 172, 183, and 186 together.

I refer the Deputies to my reply to a Priority Question earlier. The conclusion that open skies will be good for Irish tourism, aviation, business links and the economy generally is clear and I do not intend to delay those benefits further by commissioning another study on the impact of open skies. As already stated in reply to the earlier priority question, however, I have also been aware all along that open skies will present challenges for Shannon and that transitional arrangements are needed to allow the airport to meet those challenges. I have at all times made it clear that Ireland's support for the EU-US open skies deal is contingent on a satisfactory transitional period for Shannon and I have published details of that arrangement, which will give Shannon Airport a total of two and a half years of stopover arrangements before the open skies policy comes in fully for Ireland in April 2008. This additional time for Shannon will enable the airport to plan an orderly move to open skies and to explore how it can exploit the opportunities the policy offers.

I have sought and obtained assurances from Aer Lingus that, in the context of a level playing field between the airline and its competitors, it will maintain the current level of transatlantic traffic — approximately 400,000 passengers a year — with regular year-round scheduled services between Shannon and Boston and New York. All these transitional arrangements will allow Shannon Airport to plan the move to open skies in 2008 in an orderly way.

In addition to the transition secured for Shannon, Transport 21 will greatly enhance the infrastructure of the Shannon region and broaden the catchment area of the airport. I propose to prepare an economic and tourism development plan in consultation with the Ministers for Arts, Sport and Tourism and Enterprise, Trade and Employment to ensure Shannon Airport sustains and increases transatlantic air services.

Overall, I am pleased with the new opportunities that the open skies policy will offer Irish airlines and airports. It will mean even more prosperity for Ireland through increased services, tourism and trade links. I am convinced that the transitional arrangements secured for Shannon mean that, through the proven resourcefulness of those who run the airport, it will fully share in that prosperity.

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