Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the efforts he has made to advance an agreement with the US administration to provide for cargo pre-clearence of US customs at airports here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33485/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Ireland-US pre-clearance agreement signed by both Governments in November 2008 provides for the pre-clearance of commercial aircraft as well as general aviation, both private and business aircraft. General aviation pre-clearance at Shannon Airport was always considered an important feature of pre-clearance given the number of such aircraft that already land there for refuelling en route to the US. The agreement does not provide for cargo pre-clearance.

It has always been Ireland's position that when passenger pre-clearance was fully established, discussions on the pre-clearance of air cargo from Ireland would be opened up with the US. Accordingly, with the advent of commercial pre-clearance at Dublin Airport earlier this year following its commencement in Shannon in 2009 the issue has been raised in the context of the pre-clearance consultative group, which held its inaugural meeting in April. The group comprises US and Irish officials and was established to monitor progress in pre-clearance and deal with issues that arise. My Department will continue to pursue the matter with the US authorities with a view to achieving a positive outcome for Ireland.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I do not want to be critical of the Minister because I am aware of the good job he is doing in his Department. However, given the length of time he has been in office I had hoped he would have engaged with this issue by now. While I accept the matter is not entirely the responsibility of his Department, pre-clearance of cargo at Irish airports can contribute to growth and employment. With that in mind, political contact should have already been made with the US Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of Transportation. The Taoiseach should also have engaged with the matter given that the global forum was organised at Farmleigh House to encourage business here.

This is a viable project which is supported by logistics companies worldwide. Lynx has indicated a willingness to participate in developing facilities in Shannon and the Minister and his Department have been helpful to the company. It is making its investment on the basis of the potential for long-term gains from the pre-clearance of cargo. Given that we have a fantastic opportunity to generate employment, will the Minister or his colleagues, the Ministers for Justice and Equality and Foreign Affairs and Trade communicate directly with the US Administration to advance the proposal?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I agree that pre-clearance of cargo would be helpful in terms of offering a competitive advantage to Irish airports. That is being pursued but, as Deputy Dooley will be aware from his time on these benches, there is a way of handling these matters. Contacts are first made at official level and site visits are then carried out. There is a right time to raise the matter at political level. In the coming weeks I will meet the US director of Customs and Border Protection in Ireland to carry out a site visit. I will most likely visit the United States in the spring and if anything can be achieved at that stage I will seek to meet the Transport Security Administration or the Secretary for Homeland Security, Ms Napolitano. It is important that political contacts are made when a logjam needs to be broken but the work between officials is proceeding satisfactorily at present.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I accept that it is at times necessary for a Minister to intervene to progress projects but, in an effort to set the tone for discussions among officials, it would be valuable to develop the political context. We need to engage in high level political discussions rather than waiting to take on the role of fixer whenever an obstacle emerges. I encourage the Minister to establish political contacts. Perhaps the Taoiseach could raise the matter directly with the US President during his St. Patrick's Day visit.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I have held discussions on the matter with the US ambassador in recent weeks. Opportunities will be taken at the right time and place and there will be visits in February or March. We do not want a Minister to fly to Washington for an unsuccessful meeting with the US Secretary of State because the groundwork was not done beforehand. The Deputy can rest assured that the Government sees the potential for competitive advantage this offers to our airports. However, we should not over estimate the benefits of pre-clearance. Much of the hype that accompanied the introduction of pre-clearance facilities for passengers has not materialised into additional business. We need to pursue the matter but we should also be realistic about the economic benefits.