Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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49. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he last spoke to American officials in relation to the proposed Cork to Boston flight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30272/16]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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65. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider leading and-or arranging a senior delegation to travel to Washington to lobby for the granting of a licence for the Cork-Boston route, noting the recent decision by the Northern Ireland Assembly to invest more than €9 million to secure a transatlantic connection with the North of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30271/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 65 together.

While this issue is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I wish to assure the Deputy that the Government fully supports all efforts to promote and strengthen air transport links between Ireland and the United States. This includes the proposed Norwegian Air International route between Cork and Boston.

I am conscious of the potential importance of this service and it is for that reason that I and other Ministers have raised the issue in our contacts with senior members of the US Administration, including the Secretary for Transport.

In addition, our Ambassador and Embassy in Washington are assiduously working on an ongoing basis to advance this issue. The approval of the relevant US authorities, including the US Department of Transport, is necessary in order for the route to proceed. Our Ambassador, Anne Anderson, has proactively engaged with all relevant US authorities to advance progress on the application and has kept the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport fully updated on its progress.