Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on EU efforts to include the aviation industry in the EU emissions trading scheme by 2011; his further views on whether this inclusion will lead to further green surcharges on airline passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23321/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government supports, in principle, having regard to Ireland's peripheral status, the inclusion of aviation emissions in the EU emissions trading system on the basis of the European Commission's draft legislative proposal which was presented in December 2006.

Discussions on the draft EU legislative proposal are taking place in the Environment Council of Ministers and I am working closely with my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the continued development of the national position as the discussions on the proposal progress in the Council and the Parliament.

With regard to the prospect of the inclusion of aviation in the EU ETS leading to "green" surcharges, as the Deputy will be aware the market for air services in the Community is fully open since the early 1990s. The liberalization of the market removed all commercial restrictions for carriers flying within the EU including any restrictions on the setting on fares. Community air carriers can freely set their fares under Community rules and decide what costs are to be passed on to the consumer.