Written answers

Wednesday, 31 January 2007

Department of Transport

International Agreements

8:00 am

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1233: To ask the Minister for Transport the steps proposed to actively persuade the EU Commission that prohibiting a new Ireland-US bilateral agreement is disadvantaging Ireland and is anti competitive. [1309/07]

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1234: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on progress towards an EU US Open Skies regime. [1310/07]

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1235: To ask the Minister for Transport if, in view of the recent three day delay to US bound passengers due to the unavailability of a functioning aircraft he will report on the efforts being made to attract long haul airlines with the capacity to serve the growing commercial and social needs of the population. [1311/07]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1233 to 1235, inclusive, together.

The Deputy will be aware that, in November 2005 EU and US negotiators concluded work on the text of a first phase EU-US Open Skies agreement that included a transitional arrangement for Ireland, relating to the phasing out of the 'Shannon Stop'. The draft 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.

In December 2006, following opposition from Congress, the US authorities withdrew the rulemaking proposal concerning control and ownership of U.S. airlines. The rule making provision had been a key demand for a number of Member States and its withdrawal by the US side is a significant barrier to concluding the EU US Open Skies agreement.

Negotiation at EU-US level resumed in January 2007, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to the goal of concluding an EU-US agreement that would open access to markets and maximise benefits on both sides of the Atlantic. The objective is to reach agreement in time for the next Transport Council in March 2007.

Negotiations are continuing between the EU and US and my Department is in ongoing contact with the Office of the Attorney General on the legal options. As I indicated previously, in the absence of progress at EU level, I intend to seek to implement, in accordance with Community law, measures to provide for liberalisation of transatlantic services between Ireland and the US by way of an amendment to the Ireland-US bilateral Air Services Agreement.

As far as the development of long haul services is concerned, my Department's strategy is to promote, where possible, new long haul services and, where necessary, put in place new or modified agreements. The Deputy will be aware that my Department last week gave approval, in principle, for Flyglobespan to operate UK/US air services via Ireland West Airport Knock.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.