Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Doyle and I are in broad agreement on this matter. Direct services from Ireland to Asia, and China in particular, would be beneficial. One stop access is useful but not as good as direct services by any means. Routes would of course have to operate on a commercial basis because we are not going to use taxpayers' money to subsidise businessmen travelling to and from China. However, the Government and State companies can help. For example, Tourism Ireland offered marketing supports on the San Francisco route and other long haul services to promote the new routes. The Dublin Airport Authority, Shannon Airport and other airports can also offer incentives in this regard. The normal incentive offered by State airports for new long haul routes is to waive airport charges for five years. These elements are in place and the Government can also step in with bilateral air service agreements and freedom rights where necessary. It is something we are keen to see happen. Improved access to the Middle East has been delivered and the west coast of the USA will be accessible from next year. After that, year round flights to Moscow and direct access to China or another Asian country are the next tasks on the list.

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