Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of EU capitals or major cities with which direct air flights are established and those with which Dublin, Cork, Belfast or other provincial airports have such access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6194/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that the business and commercial sectors have adequate, regular, reliable and cost-effective direct air transport links with other EU capitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6195/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which he expects the public and private sector to compete in the area of air passenger transport; his proposals to reduce the costs to the consumer in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6196/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 to 282, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the market for air services in the Community was fully liberalised in 1992. All European carriers, whether publicly owned or privately owned are free to compete on an equal basis within the European market.

The opening up of the market has completely transformed air travel in Europe and has brought enormous benefits to the European economy and particularly to the Irish economy. As we are an island nation, we are particularly reliant on air services for the maintenance and creation of business and tourism links with Europe and the rest of the world. To that end, within the European Union, Ireland has consistently supported market liberalisation measures and has also sought to influence the wider international framework for aviation to ensure that it continues to promote competition and innovation in the market-place.

The benefits of liberalisation are clear to see both in the context of the European market and the EU-US market which was liberalised more recently. The number of routes available into and out of Ireland to both European and US destinations has increased dramatically and fares have fallen significantly in the period since the market was opened up. Details of the destinations served from each of the main airports in the State, both State and regional airports, can generally be found on the airports websites.