Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will initiate a full review of our aviation sector and Ireland's strategic air connectivity; if he will bring forward a Green Paper on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39854/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has reviewed the costs associated with air travel with a view to ensuring that an island nation is adequately catered for in terms of competitiveness on world markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40348/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy, frequency and capability of air transport to meet the ongoing requirements of an island nation in an increasingly competitive aviation sector; if airport costs and charges here are sufficiently competitive to meet the challenges of the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40349/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 156, 206 and 207 together.

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 comfortably handle up to 35 million passengers per year and will create a vibrant modern airport that will 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. On the question of costs associated with air travel, because of the market position of Dublin airport, charges at Dublin airport are subject to independent regulation by the Commission for Aviation Regulation with a view to ensuring that charges are maintained at competitive levels. While other airports are not subject to regulation, in setting charges all airports have to take account of the highly competitive nature of the aviation market in order to attract and retain airline services.

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 do not believe that a review of our strategy for aviation is warranted at this time.