Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

593. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the Brexit proofing measures he can take to assist Shannon Airport in securing an alternative connection in view of the fact that EU hub connectivity from Shannon is via London Heathrow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50648/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The establishment of air transport connections are the result of commercial agreements between airlines and airports. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have no function in these commercial decisions. However, there are on-going consultations between my Department, other Government Departments and agencies, and public and private aviation stakeholders in order to continue to plan for and mitigate the risks associated with Brexit. It is also important that the aviation industry, including airports, takes steps to prepare and where possible to reduce their exposure and to limit reliance on any one particular destination or service.

The Government has been clear that its approach to preparing for Brexit is aimed at minimising the impact it could have on our trade, our economy and seeking an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

The full implications of Brexit will only become clear once the future EU-UK relationship has been decided. However, the Draft Political Declaration setting out the Framework for the Future Relationship between the EU and the UK published recently foresees a comprehensive partnership between the EU and the UK, including across a range of areas of importance to Ireland, including air transport. The European Commission’s Contingency Plan, published on 13 November, outlines plans to propose measures to ensure that disruption to air travel between the UK and the EU will be minimised in the event of a disorderly UK exit from the EU, subject to reciprocity.

Government also supports the development of air connectivity and the expansion of air services more generally through funding for cooperative marketing activity. Cooperative campaigns with partners facilitate increased marketing effort and help promote the destination more widely. Funding of €1 million was made available to Tourism Ireland annually in 2016, 2017 and 2018 for cooperative marketing. This funding, supported by contributions from regional tourism stakeholders (Airports and Ports) was matched by air and sea carriers and resulted in total overseas marketing expenditure of €2.6 million in 2016 and €2.4 million in 2017.

An increased budget allocation for 2019 will continue to support both seasonal and regional growth and will be underscored by a commitment to focus co-operative partnership activities on the January-April and October-December periods for Great Britain and the North American and European markets. I would encourage all airports to avail of this funding to optimise air services, including Shannon Airport with regard to alternative European hub connections.