Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 454: To ask the Minister for Transport the status of the transitional Ireland US aviation agreement and the EU US Open Skies talks; if these matters were discussed at the recent Council of Ministers meeting; the outcome of these talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33284/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the EU US Open Skies deal was discussed at the Transport Council on 12 October 2006. The Council underlined the importance it attaches to the conclusion of the EU US air transport agreement. It reaffirmed its unanimous satisfaction with the text of the draft agreement negotiated in November 2005 but regretted the further delay in the US position on the ownership and control issue.

The Council requested the Commission to continue its efforts, on the basis of further contacts with the United States to secure a satisfactory and balanced outcome with the necessary safeguards, including the transitional provisions, with a view to a decision at the December Transport Council. This would fulfil the commitments set out in the conclusion of the June 20066 EU US Summit in which both parties reaffirmed the commitment to reach agreement by the end of the year.