Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Transport the legality of amending the existing bilateral agreement between Ireland and the US, in the absence of an agreement on an open skies agreement between the EU and the US; if this can now proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41769/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I informed Government in September this year of my intention to pursue all possible avenues to provide for the entry into force at the earliest possible date of the EU US open skies agreement including the transitional arrangements relating to Ireland already agreed between the EU and the US. I also indicated that, in the event that an EU US agreement is not achievable within a reasonable timeframe, I intend to seek to implement, in accordance with applicable Community law, the essential elements of the transitional arrangements relating to Ireland by way of an amendment to the Ireland US bilateral air services agreement.

While allowing some time for clarification of the intentions of the US administration following the US elections, I am considering all of the options to progress this matter as soon as possible including the legal issues arising under Community law in relation to an amendment of the Ireland US bilateral air services agreement.