asked the Minister for External Affairs whether any negotiations with the British Government have been, or are in progress, or are contemplated, for entering into a Convention for the regulation of civil communication by air, in accordance with Clause 3 of the Annexe to the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, and whether he will arrange that the Dáil shall be informed as to the nature and progress of any such negotiations before any decision is arrived at.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CIVIL COMMUNICATION BY AIR.
TOMAS MAC EOIN
An InterDepartmental Committee is at present inquiring into the administration of services relating to civil communication by air with a view to determining how these services can best be provided for. No negotiations on the subject of a convention will be entered into with the British Government until that Committee has reported.
It is not possible to say at this stage to what extent the Dáil can be kept informed of the nature and progress of the negotiations.
Will the Committee's report be made public before any negotiations are entered on?
I cannot say that.
Can the Minister give an assurance that the negotiations will not be entered upon until the report has been made public?
I could not.
Will the Minister take into account the fact that that view has been expressed in the Dáil— that they should not enter into negotiations until the report has been published?
That view may have been expressed, and a view to the contrary may also have been expressed.