Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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223. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason his Department has issued a permit for a company (details supplied) to operate under the fifth freedom between Dublin and Madrid; and the analysis undertaken of the serious competitive distortions of allowing fifth freedom rights on intra EU services to countries operating outside the EU. [24546/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Ireland - Eithopia Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) signed in 2014 allows for the granting of fifth freedom air traffic rights, subject to approval by the relevant aeronautical authorities. 

Ethiopian Airlines applied to both the Spanish and Irish authorities in 2018 for approval of their Addis Ababa - Madrid - Dublin route. Following confirmation of approval by the Spanish Authorities and having consulted with key aviation stakeholders, including all Irish airlines, the Department authorised the route, as provided for under the BASA.

Ireland traditionally has a liberal aviation policy, and it remains positively disposed towards approval of fifth freedom rights in bilateral air service agreements, on a case-by-case basis.