asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will state the circumstances which led up to the raising of the Cork-Dublin air fare by Aer Lingus; whether he issued instructions on the matter; and, if so, his reasons for so doing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork-Dublin Air Fare.
7.
The only air fare which has been raised is the excursion return which has been increased from £4 4s. Od. to £5 5s. Od. The fare of £4 4s. Od. was originally introduced experimentally by Aer Lingus and was related to the fact that the service between Dublin and Cork was not a normal commercial service but was operated by aircraft flying to and from Cork to cover the services between that airport and points abroad.
I discussed the matter with the Chairmen of Aer Lingus and of C.I.E. and I suggested that the differential between excursion air and rail fares on that route should be preserved on the same level as already obtained for the single and ordinary return fares.
In other words, the Minister does admit that, in fact, it was he who requested Aer Lingus to increase the Dublin-Cork air fare?
On whose side is the Deputy?
The Minister for Industry and Commerce can work that out for himself. I simply want to extract from the Minister for Transport and Power if it was, in fact, at his behest that the fares were altered?
It certainly was. I have to deal with all matters which concern competing State companies and the reasons for which they compete.