andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether the Government are in a position to resist the recent decision of the British Government to permit the Cunard Company to operate flights into Dublin in competition with Aer Lingus.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flights into Dublin by Cunard Company.
54.
The Air Agreement between this country and Great Britain which governs the operation of air services between the two countries, provides that airlines operating scheduled services must first be formally designated by the Government of the country proposing the services and formally approved by the other Government.
For the information of the House, the recent decision was not given by the British Government but by the Air Transport Licensing Board from whose decision an appeal by interested British parties may be made to the British Minister for Aviation. No designation has been received from the British Government and as the matter has not been finally decided by the British authorities, it would not be proper for me to make a statement at this stage.