Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

The Minister knows I raise this issue every month. As former Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen appreciates the importance of pre-clearance facilities. It was promised these would be in place by the end of this year, but it is clear that will not happen. It was promised to Shannon in the context of open skies to help it capitalise on that. The advantages of open skies have been almost eroded by current events in terms of finance throughout the world, particularly in America. Shannon is concerned that it will lose its advantage to Dublin and that pre-clearance facilities will be available in Dublin as soon as in Shannon. My concern is they will be available in some other country before either Dublin or Shannon. That is a major concern.

The reason I press this issue is there is a real problem emerging in terms of access to Ireland. The Minister is aware tour operators have been falling by the wayside over the summer and that airlines have been pulling out of Ireland. I will not mention the problems in Aer Lingus. There is a genuine fear that other airlines will pull out of Ireland as a result of the shrinkage of the market. If we had pre-clearance facilities ahead of other European countries, that would be a significant benefit in attracting airlines here. Once the pattern of travel is established, it is very difficult to change it. If France gets the facility first, airlines will fly there rather than to Ireland. It is, therefore, important we get it first. Can anything be done to introduce the legislation in advance of the finalisation of the agreement with the US?

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