Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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269. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce Cork-to-Boston flights with Norwegian Airlines; if and when the licensing process in the United States of America will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21386/16]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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270. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has discussed the outstanding licensing issue in the United States of America regarding the Cork-to-Boston flights provided by Norwegian Airlines with the European Commission; if it has implications for the European Union and United States of America open skies agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21387/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.

As I have previously stated, I and my Department fully support Norwegian Air International and the introduction of the proposed Cork to Boston route. On the 15th of April 2016 the US Department of Transportation published a tentative decision to grant Norwegian Air International the foreign air carrier permit required to operate the proposed Cork to Boston route.  A public consultation on this tentative decision was completed on the 23rd of May. It is now a matter for the US authorities to decide whether to confirm that tentative decision or not.

As detailed in my response to PQ 20673/16, I and my Department continue to liaise with the European Commission regarding the proposed Cork to Boston route by Norwegian Air International. The Commission agrees that the 2½ year delay by the US authorities in making a decision on NAI's permit application is not acceptable. The next step in resolving the issue would be for the Commission to initiate a formal arbitration under Article 19 of the Open Skies Agreement between the European Union and the United States of America. It is hoped that by granting the permit there will be no need to take this step. However, I am confident that the Commission, if necessary, will take the appropriate action under the Agreement to help resolve this dispute. I look forward to a decision being confirmed by the US Department of Transportation as soon as possible so that Norwegian Air International can start operating the new route from Cork to Boston and other new transatlantic routes.