Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 287: To ask the Minister for Transport if the ending of the Shannon stopover will be postponed until such time as an economic impact report on the implications of the change has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36308/05]

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 291: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to put on hold the Shannon bilateral agreement with the US pending an environmental impact study of the effects that this might have on the Shannon, mid-west and south-west regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36502/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 291 together.

I refer the Deputies to my answer to a priority question dealing with Ireland-US aviation relations on 24 November 2005. The conclusion that open skies will be good for Irish tourism, aviation, business links and the economy generally is clear, therefore I do not intend to delay those benefits further by commissioning another study on the impact of open skies. The transitional arrangement for Shannon has now been finalised, and the period of time for Shannon to prepare is now known. It is now a matter for the management and staff of Shannon airport to use that transitional period in the best way possible, and to look forward and grasp the undoubted opportunities that open skies offers.