asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the new advance timetable issued by Aerlinte Éireann offers the following services: (a) New York to Dublin via Shannon, (b) New York-Dublin-Glasgow, (c) New York-Dublin-Lourdes-Barcelona-Rome, (d) New York-Dublin-Paris, (e) New York-Dublin-Brussels-Amsterdam and (f) New York-Dublin-Zurich, etc., and, if so, if he will state whether this is in conflict with his recent statement that Shannon Airport is the country's sole transatlantic air base and transit stop for all transatlantic airlines.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Aerlinte Éireann Services.
The timetable to which the Deputy refers is a combined Aerlinte/Aer Lingus timetable and, in accordance with normal practice, it lists certain through services which are made available by linking Aerlinte flights with Aer Lingus flights. It does not alter the position that every transatlantic flight from or to this country will use Shannon Airport as its place of departure and first landing.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary have a look at the timetable in question? It refers to the company as Irish airlines. It refers to all the offices in the various countries as Irish airlines. Aer Lingus or Aerlinte are not mentioned at all. The services do not mention Shannon Airport. I see herein New York-Dublin-Paris. Does the Parliamentary Secretary still maintain that that does not cut across the statement made by the Minister in this House a few weeks ago?
That matter seems to me to be separate from the subject matter of the question on the Order Paper.
No, I do not think so.
Yes.
If the Parliamentary Secretary says it is not in conflict with the recent statement of the Minister for Industry and Commerce, I would refer him to the statement made by the Minister that Shannon is the country's sole transatlantic air base. This type of leaflet here gives the impression that Shannon Airport does not exist and that Dublin is a transit stop between New York and, say, Rome. There is no mention of Shannon Airport at all. In my view, these timetables——
The Deputy is doing more than asking a question.
I am trying to clarify the position. Am I not in order in seeking clarification?
If the Deputy continues with clarification, he will probably make a speech. He has another time to do that.
I hope the Parliamentary Secretary understands what I am getting at.
I understand perfectly what the Deputy is trying to get at. As I have stated, the position is that every transatlantic flight from or to this country will use Shannon Airport as its place of departure and first landing.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say why the official timetable does not state that?
The Parliamentary Secretary did not draw up the timetable.
I appreciate that reply. It is obvious, but it is not helpful. In view of the assurances given by the Minister for Industry and Commerce, I think the Parliamentary Secretary might interest himself a bit more in the matter. It is another instance of centralisation.
A Deputy
There is no need to worry about Shannon.
Question No. 6.