Derek McDowell (Labour)

I move amendment No. 3:

In page 27, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following:

"25—The European Communities (Access to the Groundhandling market at Community Airports) Regulations 1998 are amended in Article 14(3) by the deletion of 'and approved by the Minister in advance'.".

I move this amendment in response to representations made to my colleague, Deputy Shortall. It is in regard to installation charges more generally, not just landing charges at the airport. As a result of recent court decisions, a range of charges, including ground baggage handling charges, may now be imposed by Aer Rianta under EU regulations. The Minister's consent appears to be required for some of these charges but not for others. Will the Minister clarify this? One or other procedure should operate. The consent of the Minister should be required for all such charges, or it should not be required for any charge. This amendment seeks that the Minister's consent should not be required, but it is desirable that there should be clarity as to which charges require the Minister's consent.