asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, in view of the unsatisfactory arrangement arrived at by Aer Lingus with other operating air line companies whereby some Aer Lingus traffic is carried by other companies, he will now arrange that all cross-Channel traffic be carried exclusively by Aer Lingus.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Aer Lingus Cross-Channel Traffic.
11.
The carriage of cross-Channel air traffic is governed by a bilateral air agreement between this country and Great Britain. This agreement, in line with other similar agreements, provides generally that each country will participate in the market on an equal basis. In the circumstances it would not be possible for me to arrange that all cross-Channel traffic should be carried exclusively by the Irish company. I have no reason to believe that the present pool arrangements which apply on some of the routes are unsatisfactory.