Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will reconsider drawing up a full impact assessment outlining the economic impact of an open skies policy on the Shannon region and the west of Ireland, particularly in view of delays in agreeing such a policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19158/06]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 350: To ask the Minister for Transport the timetable for the conclusion of the open skies deal between the EU and the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19159/06]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 351: To ask the Minister for Transport the obstacles to concluding an open skies deal between the EU and the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19160/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 349 to 351, inclusive, together.

In November 2005 EU and US negotiators concluded work on the text of a first-phase EU-US Open Skies agreement. The text was unanimously endorsed at the December 2005 Transport Council subject to sufficient progress by the US side on opening up ownership and control of US airlines to EU investors. The formal US process of changing its ownership and control rules was expected to be concluded early in 2006 so that a final decision could be taken at the June Transport Council. However, due to difficulties on the US side the rule-making process has been extended but they are confident that the matter will be concluded in August in time for agreement at the October Transport Council.

As part of the EU-US deal I reached agreement with the US authorities last November in relation to a transitional arrangement for Shannon Airport to take effect from November 2006 and I remain confident that this timetable can be achieved. Also when I announced the transitional arrangements I indicated that I would prepare, in consultation with my colleagues, the Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, a tourism and economic development plan for Shannon and the West of Ireland and that work is progressing.

In response to a number of previous Questions I have indicated that I did not think that it is necessary to carry out an impact study in view of the findings of a number of recent reports (the Brattle Report for the European Commission, the Report of the Tourism Policy Review Group to the Minister of Arts, Sport and Tourism, and the Air Transport Users Council (ATUC) of the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland Report into Open Skies) which all support moving to open skies with the US, and emphasise the significant benefits to Ireland when this happens.