Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

We are told that the legislation needed to establish pre-clearance facilities in Dublin and Shannon will not be introduced until next year. British Airways has already announced that it will use London City Airport and Shannon Airport as transit stages for New York. Will the legislation be in place before these flights commence?

I understand other European airports, including Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt, are seeking to develop pre-clearance facilities. It is important that the legislation is fast-tracked because Shannon and Dublin need to be established.

Corporate jets provide further opportunities. Approximately 700 corporate jets cross the Atlantic Ocean each week and I understand these will stop at either Shannon or Dublin to get pre-clearance. They will be of significant benefit to my region, particularly given the current turbulence in Aer Lingus. I ask the Minister to press his colleague to fast-track this legislation. I understand that the Irish authorities are holding up progress but that the deal has been done on the American side.

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