Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Transport the position in relation to negotiations regarding customs and border patrol pre-clearance between the Irish and US authorities; when he will give the go-ahead to Shannon Airport to begin building the new facility for US pre-clearance; if he expects the new facility in Shannon to be operational for the start of summer 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37267/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Significant progress continues to be made between Irish and U.S. officials towards the conclusion of an Inter-Governmental Agreement between our two countries on the introduction of pre-clearance facilities at Dublin and Shannon Airports. When the agreement is in place work will then commence on drafting the necessary legislation, which will be introduced as soon as possible. As I have stated previously it is my hope that the timing of construction of the new CBP facility at Shannon can be aligned with the passage of the legislation to the extent that it is practical and feasible to do so.