Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for Transport the position in relation to the renegotiation of the bilateral agreement between Ireland and the US on transatlantic air traffic; the plans in place to support the Shannon region should the negotiations result in a reduced commitment to flights in and out of Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24565/06]

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 provisions of the draft Agreement supersede the 20 existing bilateral air services agreements between EU Member States (including Ireland) and the United States.

The text of the EU US 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 is envisaged that the formal US process of changing its ownership and control rules will be concluded in August in time for consideration at the October Transport Council.

In announcing the agreement reached with the US authorities last November in relation to a transitional arrangement for Shannon Airport in the context of the proposed EU/US 'open skies' I indicated that I would prepare, in consultation with my colleagues, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, a tourism and economic development plan for Shannon and the West of Ireland. Preparation of this plan is at an advanced stage. In addition, there is a local liaison group under the chairmanship the Clare County Manager working with Government Departments with a view to ensuring that Shannon Airport and the West of Ireland receive adequate investment and compensatory measures when "Open Skies" is finally approved. An official from the Department of Transport attends meetings of the Group in an information sharing capacity.