Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

257. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the details of the EU-Israel Aviation Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25963/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Part of the EU's external aviation policy is to negotiate comprehensive air services agreements with neighbouring countries, in particular in the Mediterranean region. The Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the EU, its Member States,  and Israel, is one of a number of such agreements that have been negotiated by the European Commission over the last number of years.  Air services between the EU and Israel currently operate on the basis of bilateral agreements between individual Member States and Israel. The Agreement replaced this with a comprehensive 'open skies' agreement. In summary the Agreement aims at:

- gradual market opening in terms of access to routes and capacity on a reciprocal basis;

- promoting regulatory cooperation and harmonisation of regulations and approaches based on EU legislation in the field of aviation;

- promoting air services based on competition among air carriers with minimum government interference and regulation;

- non-discrimination and a level playing field for economic operators.

Ireland is fully supportive of the EU policy to negotiate such agreements. No Irish airline currently operates scheduled services to Israel. One Israeli airline operates a summer-only scheduled service to Ireland. However, this Agreement will open up the entire EU-Israel aviation market to Irish airlines, both Ireland-Israel routes, and services from other EU points to Israel.  The agreement will be signed at the upcoming Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council on 10 June 2013. The advice of the Attorney General is that the Agreement requires Dáil approval prior to signature. The process is currently underway and is expected to be finalised this week.