Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Transport the EU plans in respect of open skies further to the recent vote in the US to prevent the purchase of US airlines by foreigners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24026/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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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 remain confident that the matter will be concluded in August in time for agreement at the October Transport Council.