Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he has discussed with Aer Lingus and or Ryanair, the future development of air passenger transport, long and short haul, with a view to maintaining a stable and vibrant industry to meet the requirements of air passengers, nationally and internationally, maximising the use of this country as an international air transport hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8895/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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In December last I facilitated a conference  at which I launched a review process for the development of a new national civil aviation policy for Ireland. A wide array of industry representatives including Ryanair and Aer Lingus and wider stakeholder groups were invited to debate what the policy should contain.

Following on from that conference I will shortly publish a consultation paper which has been developed taking into consideration the views expressed at the conference. Following the period of public consultation I intend to publish a draft policy statement later this year for further comment before finalising and adopting the new national policy in early 2014.