Written answers

Wednesday, 21 February 2007

Department of Transport

Open Skies Agreement

11:00 pm

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 83: To ask the Minister for Transport the position in relation to the conclusion of an Open Skies agreement between the US and Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6573/07]

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

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 rule making 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. Following negotiations in Washington earlier this month a further round is scheduled for next week. The objective is to reach agreement in time for the next Transport Council in March 2007.

I am following the negotiations between the EU and US closely 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.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.