asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will make a statement concerning the talks in Washington between the US and Irish Government delegations on the issue of landing rights for American airlines at Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - US Airlines Landing Rights.
7.
Consultations were held in Washington on November 23rd and 24th between delegations representing the United States and Ireland in connection with the air transport agreement between the two countries. There was a full exchange of views but no agreement was reached on the matters discussed. The delegations agreed to adjourn and to report to their authorities.
May I ask if any new date has been arranged for resumption of these negotiations?
I hope to meet the negotiators later today to discuss that aspect with them. A date for resumption has not yet been set.
Have any proposals been made by the US authorities concerning a date for resumption?
As I have told the Deputy, this is a matter I will be discussing later on with the negotiators who, as the Deputy appreciates, are now in transit. If the Deputy will put down a question on this aspect next week, I would hope to have more precise information.
Will the Minister not have made a statement in the meantime? Tonight's radio will probably have it.
I do not wish to sound unduly coy, but surely the Minister has been in touch with the negotiators in Washington and that they have been in touch with him in the past 24 hours.
I would prefer to deal eyeball to eyeball on a matter of such importance than on the telephone.
If I may interpret the Minister's eyeballs, I presume one of the difficulties——
We cannot have presumptions.
I will answer any question of that kind next week.