Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress made in relation to a deal on open skies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21937/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As I have stated in previous Questions the text of a first-phase EU-US Open Skies agreement 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. It had been expected that the US would have completed the process of changing the ownership and control rules early in 2006 so that a final decision could be taken at the June Transport Council. However, the rule-making process has been extended and the US authorities here indicated that the matter will be concluded in August in time for agreement at the October Transport Council. It is expected that the issue will be resolved at the October Transport Council.