Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 40: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will review the general strategic aviation outlook for Ireland in view of the ongoing difficulties in the airline sector; if he is constantly reviewing the level of air connectivity for airports here; if he will prepare a white paper on the Irish aviation sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32519/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland's aviation policy as set out my Department's current Statement of Strategy is to promote regular, safe cost effective and competitive air services linking the country with key business and tourism markets. To this end, within the European Union, Ireland has consistently supported market liberalisation measures, which have to date 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.

The introduction the EU-US Open Skies agreement and the conclusion of a more liberal agreement on a bilateral basis with Canada illustrates our commitment to supporting liberalisation measures. 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. The opening of Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport in early 2010 will allow Dublin Airport to handle up to 35 million passengers per year and will ensure that the airport continues to be an efficient gateway to the Ireland of the 21st century. In addition the six regional airports have a role to play in facilitating access to the regions. My Department provides necessary financial support for airport development and operations as well as PSO services connecting Kerry, Galway, Knock, Sligo, Donegal and Derry to Dublin.

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. From an Irish economy perspective the overarching priority is to maintain the highest possible levels of connectivity between Ireland and key markets around the world and my Department will continue to closely monitor developments in the aviation sector that impact on that objective. While sustained high fuel costs continue to have a very negative impact on airlines, even if prices have fallen back from all-time peaks, I believe that the policy framework I have set out above remains valid and appropriate for the Irish economy.