asked the Minister for Communications if he has any plans to reduce the cost of travel between (a) Britain and Ireland and (b) other EC countries and Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Cost of Sea and Air Travel.
21.
The pricing of sea and air travel between Ireland and Europe is primarily a matter for the commercial judgment of the shipping and airline companies, who must have regard not only to the consumer interest but also to the need to maintain service viability. In the specific area of sea travel, I have no statutory function in regulating sea transport costs, although I maintain a non-statutory monitoring role in relation to B and I's fares and rates.
In so far as air travel is concerned, the Deputy will be aware that since coming into office I have taken a though line on proposals for increases. On a number of occasions, I have found it necessary to turn down applications for increases on the grounds that they were too high, often I might add in situations where the regulatory authority at the other end of the route gave its approval for the full increase. I will continue to take a critical approach with a view to ensuring that the lowest possible air fares are available to the public, consistent with the need to maintain in the national interest an adequate network of viable year-round air services. I would also mention that I recently gave approval in principle for the inauguration of a low priced air service between Luton and Dublin.