asked the Minister for Transport and Power by whom will the Government be represented at the forthcoming negotiations on the Ireland-US bilateral air agreement.
15.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ireland-US Air Agreement.
14.
Mr. O'Donnell
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, in view of the major national importance of the negotiations with the US Government in Washington on 24th November, 1971, concerning the airline landing rights issue, he will arrange for the attendance of senior board representatives from Irish International Airlines to assist in an advisory capacity to the Minister.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 14 and 15 together.
The Government will be represented by a delegation led by the secretary of my Department. The delegation will include also an assistant secretary from the Department of Foreign Affairs, an assistant secretary from the Department of Industry and Commerce, a deputy assistant secretary from the Department of Finance and a principal officer of my Department together with an advisor to be nominated by Aerlinte. Representatives of the Shannon Free Airport Development Company and of Bord Fáilte will be available for consultation as required.
Mr. O'Donnell
Why have the Government agreed to send a civil service delegation to Washington in view of the object and hopeless failure of a similar delegation which went to Washington last August? The obvious way to approach this problem from the Government's point of view would be by way of direct intervention with the American Government. The Government should have used every means at their disposal to persuade the Americans to lift the ban on Aer Lingus and maintain the status quo. Why have the Government apparently taken no action in the matter?
That is a separate question.
I want to make it quite plain to everyone that the Government at all stages during the various discussions, negotiations, contacts and involvement vis-à-vis this matter over very many years have made direct political contact and direct political representations at every level right up to the level of the President of the United States of America. What we are now talking about is a negotiation at aviation official level. The level of negotiation is at that level. This is an official negotiating team from Ireland who will meet an official negotiating team appointed by the United States State Department, their Economic Ministry and the Civil Aeronautics Board. This technical negotiation is at that level but every political initiative has been taken over the years and because of these political initiatives we have not had to face the problem up to now.
Mr. O'Donnell
Can the Minister say why, since the ultimatum was issued last August, no Minister has issued any public statement clarifying the situation? Why has no Minister attended any meeting in the western region? The Government have done nothing.
This is a separate question.
The fact of the matter is that we are a responsible Government concerned with a very responsible matter and if Deputy O'Donnell wants to persist in irresponsibility in this respect——
(Interruptions.)
The Minister is entitled to reply.
The only people who have taken a practical interest in this matter in the Limerick-Clare area are Deputy Barrett and Deputy Herbert of the Fianna Fáil Party and Deputy Coughlan of the Labour Party. They are the only Deputies who have been consistently practical and responsible in regard to the issues they have raised in this House on this matter.
Mr. O'Donnell
I am not going to let the Minister away with this. The Minister knows well that I have carried out a special study; I have circulated a memorandum on this and I have sent it to the United States Government. The Minister has fallen down on the job. Did the Minister see what the American Ambassador said to the Shannon Action Committee yesterday?
I met the Shannon Area Action Committee the day before yesterday and they deplored the actions of political people, like Deputy O'Donnell, who have been intruding in this very important matter.
(Interruptions.)
It is essential that a Minister of State lead the forthcoming negotiations. Even though it is a long way to America every St. Patrick's Day the Government are able to afford to send two or three Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries to America. It is extraordinary that Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries cannot take time off where Irish workers are involved.
This is outside the scope of the question.
This is gross irresponsibility on the part of the Government.
(Interruptions.)
Is it not a well-known fact that there is a split in the Government? The Dublin Deputies want the planes to come in here. There is a sell out. It is well known there is a Government split. They are playing politics with the West as usual.
Shattered, not split.
The West is being sold down the drain for the benefit of Dublin.