Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Transport if he or his officials held discussions recently with European Commission officials in relation to negotiating a separate open skies deal between Ireland and the US and any consequent effect this would have on the current bilateral agreement affecting Shannon; if his attention has been brought to Commissioner Barrot's recent statement that any transitional bilateral agreement for Shannon would commence as and from the date that a full air transport agreement between the EU and the US is reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39294/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In the context of the proposed EU US Open Skies Agreement I negotiated transitional arrangements for Ireland which were to provide for an orderly change to the Shannon-stop arrangements. These transitional measures were supported by our European colleagues and the US Authorities.

I have publicly stated my commitment to the view that the liberalisation of air transport services between Ireland and the U.S. will deliver major benefits for Irish business and tourism. The conclusion of an open skies agreement would have particular benefits for Ireland compared to Member States (15 of 25) that already have open-skies agreements with the U.S. These Member States already enjoy an advantage in unrestricted access to route rights for the development of air services to and from the U.S.

In view of the importance of this matter for Ireland, I informed the Government in September this year that I proposed to continue to pursue all possible avenues through contacts with the European Commission, with Ministerial colleagues in other Member States and with the U.S. to provide for the entry into force at the earliest possible date of the EU/U.S. Open Skies agreement including the transitional arrangements relating to Ireland already agreed between the EU and the U.S.