Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Transport the situation regarding the recent EU Transport Ministers meeting which was held in Europe in the week ending 14 October 2006; if the Ministers discussed changes in Ireland's current bilateral agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33801/06]

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 2006 EU-US summit in which both parties reaffirmed the commitment to reach agreement by the end of the year. I again drew attention to the negative consequences of failure to finalise the agreement with the EU US for those Member States that do not have open skies agreements in place already. I emphasised therefore the urgency of concluding this matter in December. In the meantime the existing arrangements in the Ireland US bilateral agreement will continue to apply.