Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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85. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the person or body that will undertake the review of the pre-clearance arrangements in Shannon and Dublin airports; and when he expects it to be completed. [8427/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​As the Deputy is aware, in light of concerns expressed regarding the Executive Order signed by US President Donald J. Trump on 27 January 2017, the Taoiseach requested that the relevant departments undertake a review of US Pre-clearance at Dublin and Shannon Airports. My Department, along with the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Justice and Equality contributed to this Review which was furnished to the Taoiseach last month and discussed at cabinet on 28 February. The Review set out the position with regard to the history of pre-clearance, the Ireland/US Pre-clearance Agreement and the Aviation (Pre-clearance) Act 2009, its current operation, along with its benefits for Ireland and potential issues which have arisen in the light of the recent Executive Order.

Based on the work undertaken in the context of the Review, it is my view, and the view of Government, that US pre-clearance arrangements in Dublin and Shannon Airports should remain in place.  In arriving at this decision, the following issues were taken into consideration:-

The operation of pre-clearance, a consensual and non-discriminatory facility, where the roles of Irish and US officials are clearly established, does not give rise to any breach of Ireland's European or International Human Rights obligations, including those in respect of refoulement and the rights of refugees or persons wishing to seek international protection in Ireland.

Pre-clearance is a valuable service for Ireland facilitating the movement of people between the two countries. It offers a unique service for passengers, providing them with essentially a domestic to domestic connection. Airlines flying to the USA using Dublin and Shannon Airports are permitted to fly to less congested domestic terminals at US airports, which enables faster onward connections for passengers.

It is a strategic asset for the airports in question, and a key enabler of market growth, which improves our global connectivity.