Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Transport when pre-clearance facilities will be fully operational in Dublin and Shannon Airports; which airline carriers are using the pre-clearance facilities and if any new business has been generated at Irish airports due to pre-clearance facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45879/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Operational decisions about the use of preclearance facilities are a matter for the Airport Authority, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the airlines concerned.

In the case of Shannon Airport, I understand from the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) that the US Preclearance facility for commercial aviation at Shannon Airport has been fully operational since 5 August last and that Continental Airways, Delta Airways and U.S. Airways, operating from Shannon, have used the facility since then. Currently Continental is the only carrier operating direct services from Ireland that uses the facility but I understand that Delta will resume use when its summer schedule commences in May next year. In relation to new business, British Airways is availing of the facility in respect of a twice-daily service from London City to New York (JFK) that stops at Shannon for that purpose.

The next phase of preclearance at Shannon is to extend its use to general aviation traffic. The necessary infrastructure is in place and my Department, in conjunction with the Shannon Airport Authority, is working closely with the U.S. authorities with a view to having this phase of preclearance operational as quickly as possible.

As to Dublin Airport, the preclearance facility there will form part of Terminal Two and is due to commence operations when the terminal opens in November 2010. It is understood from the DAA that all the U.S. carriers, operating out of Dublin Airport, expect to take advantage of preclearance when it becomes available.