Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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78. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a detailed report on any United States preclearance difficulties at Dublin Airport; if there is any risk to preclearance as the projected growth in passenger numbers is realised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22527/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​I am not aware of any difficulties with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) services at Dublin Airport.  All flights wishing to avail of preclearance during the 2016 Summer Season have been facilitated.  This has been achieved though effective co-operation between the relevant parties aimed at improving efficiency and throughput in the facilities.

However, given the significant increase in transatlantic passenger numbers in recent years and the projected growth into the future, the Department considers it prudent to plan for this future growth and any additional resources that may be needed.

In this regard, my Department has been engaging with the US Department of Homeland Security’s Custom and Border Control office on the need for, and the terms governing, enhanced levels of service at preclearance facilities in Dublin and Shannon Airports. In November last year, my predecessor, Minister Donohoe wrote to Secretary Johnson in order to open negotiations in relation to establishing a framework for securing enhanced services in the longer term by way of an amendment to the Ireland – US Aviation Preclearance Agreement of 2008.  The US side responded to this letter, stating that they are moving through their own internal approval processes in order to engage in negotiations on the Agreement.  It is understood that that approval process is nearing completion, with the intention that negotiations will commence in the near future.