Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 332: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress that has been made in relation to completing an open skies aviation deal between Ireland and the US; his views on whether Ireland can negotiate an open skies agreement with the US independently of the EU, in the light of the rejection by the EU Council of Ministers of the first phase of the EU-US Agreement as negotiated by the European Commission and in view of the EU Regulation (EC) No. 847/2004; if such a bilateral agreement between the US and Ireland would have to gain the approval of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8916/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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My officials are maintaining contact with the US authorities to explore what adjustments to the current Ireland-US arrangements are possible. An informal meeting took place on 7 February when some senior US officials were in Dublin for a seminar on aviation regulation organised by the Institute of European Affairs, but no conclusions were reached at that meeting.

The EU Commissioner for Transport, Jacques Barrot, is in Washington to meet the US Secretary for Transportation, Mr. Norman Mineta. It is expected that Commissioner Barrot will report to the Transport Council in April on these meetings.

There is no prohibition on Ireland's informal contacts with the US. Regulation 847/2004 envisages notification to the European Commission in advance of any formal negotiations between member states and third countries to amend their bilateral agreement. The regulation includes provisions under which approval can be given for revised agreements, even when they have been unable to comply fully with the conditions laid down by the European Court of Justice.