John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Transport the reviews the Government is planning for its aviation policy in response to the precedent set by the Aer Lingus pull out of Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24392/07]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Transport if an aviation policy for Ireland must encourage attracting a range of airlines rather than continued dependence on one or two providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24348/07]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will publish a Green Paper on aviation policy and on the Government's strategy for the future of aviation here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24260/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 41 and 64 together.

As I have said previously, the Aer Lingus withdrawal of its Shannon-London Heathrow service is very disappointing. However, I do not believe that this specific action requires that a fundamental review of our aviation policy be undertaken or that a Green Paper be published. In line with the requirements of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, my Department is currently preparing a new Statement of Strategy for the period 2008-2010 which will, inter alia, set out our aviation strategy for the period.

In general terms, our strategy to date has been to promote the development of as wide a range as possible of competitive international air services to and from Ireland to underpin our economic growth and competitiveness and this will continue to be the case. We need to have regular, safe, cost-effective and competitive air services linking the country to key business and tourism markets around the world.

To this end, within the European Union, Ireland has consistently supported market liberalisation measures, which have served as the platform for the rapid expansion of aviation generally. We have also sought to influence the emerging EU and wider international framework for aviation to ensure that it continues to promote competition and innovation in the market-place. We have promoted market liberalisation on a wider basis most recently in pressing for the conclusion of the EU-US Open Skies agreement and in concluding a more liberal agreement on a bilateral basis with Canada.

I should add that our approach to the encouragement of air services is complemented by our policy on the development of airport infrastructure within the country. The main objective is to ensure that the three State Airports have sufficient capacity to respond to the growth opportunities of a competitive airline sector and to provide vital international access. In fulfilling this objective it is proposed to establish Cork and Shannon as independent airports, once financial and operational readiness has been demonstrated under the State Airports Act 2004. In addition the six regional airports have a key role to play in promoting regional development.

The further key components of our strategy are to ensure that our aviation safety and security policies comply with, or exceed, the highest international standards and that the policy framework for air navigation services ensures that the requirements of airlines for efficient routings and the avoidance of delays are met as far as possible without compromising safety. My Department's Statement of Strategy will be published before the end of the year within the prescribed statutory timeframe.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding preparations for the final implementation of the EU-US open skies agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24265/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The full provisions of the EU US Open Skies Agreement will come into effect from 30 March 2008. However, the transitional measures which had been agreed, relating to Ireland, came into effect following political agreement at the Council of Ministers on 22 March 2007. In accordance with Article 26 of the Agreement, formal entry into force requires an exchange of diplomatic notes between the parties confirming that all the necessary procedures for entry into force have been completed. We are taking the necessary steps to comply with these arrangements.