Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Transport the efforts being made to resolve a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16841/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware the Preclearance facilities at Shannon Airport became operational for commercial aircraft on 5 August 2009 and for private aircraft on 1 March this year. I understand from the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) that airline and passenger feedback of the facility to date has been very positive. When it was brought to my attention that there was a difficulty with the type of private aircraft that could avail of the preclearance facility my officials contacted the US authorities and I wrote to Ms. Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security seeking her assistance in resolving the matter. I am fully aware of the critical importance that aviation preclearance has for Shannon Airport and will continue to support the Airport Authority in helping to resolve this issue.