asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the action, if any, he is taking to assist Aer Lingus in their negotiations to secure landing rights on the west coast of the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Landing Rights.
13.
For the Deputy's information, I should perhaps explain that the question of the exchange of traffic rights between two countries is a matter for negotiation between representatives of the aeronautical authorities of those countries.
In this context, talks took place in Washington on 24 October 1988 between representatives of my Department and representatives of the US Administration on the question of securing rights for Irish airlines to provide services to the west coast of America.
As indicated in reply to a similar question on 16 November 1988, the talks were not concluded at the Washington meeting and will be resumed in Dublin within the next few months.
May I ask the Minister if he would indicate to the House what the American authorities are seeking in return for granting these landing rights on the west coast to Aer Lingus, and of one of the demands that will be made of Aer Lingus or, indeed, of the Government, will be that the transatlantic flights will get reciprocal rights in Ireland and that they will not have to come through Shannon Airport? If that is one of the demands, what would the Minister's and the Government's attitude be to implementing it?
I should point out that in the discussions I have already adverted to, the Irish side passed very strongly for the rights to additional points in the US, in particular, Los Angeles. The main arguments advanced by the Irish side in support of their case were, firstly, the general imbalance in the existing bilateral agreement with the US carriers enjoying very generous rights, including freedom rights at Shannon, while Irish carriers are restricted to three points in the US; secondly the need to develop new markets out of the US including the south and west and, thirdly, the fact that under the bilateral agreement US carriers have the right to operate such markets as Delta operating from Atlanta, while Irish carriers have no such rights. Other comparable European countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, all enjoy more generous rights than those accorded to Ireland. The Government's target of doubling tourism numbers over the next five years is a very relevant factor in the case being made by our Irish representatives. During the discussions I am reliably informed — to put it in the usual way — that the US side made it clear that it would be very difficult for them to give a positive response to the Irish request for additional points in the US for two main reasons: first, the current lack of interest of US carriers in seeking additional rights in Ireland and, second, the difficulty in getting policy decisions at a time of political transition. That was when the talks were taking place.
I do not know what the Minister meant to indicate. In fact I feel I may as well not have asked the supplementary question because I do not think the Minister addressed the issue of Shannon Airport. He referred to the fact that if Aer Lingus secured landing rights from the west coast of America, this would greatly enhance tourism opportunities for this country in that it would give people on the west coast of the United States a direct link into Ireland, which would be an attraction for them. It would also open up the possibility of increasing visitor numbers from other countries, like Japan and Australia, as they would be able to link up with a service operating out of Los Angeles. In view of the importance of securing landing rights on the west coast of America, I ask the Minister if it is a condition on the American side that they over-fly Shannon Airport? Would the Government concede that right?
As I mentioned, negotiations are not complete and the next meeting will be held in Dublin. I have no indication in the information I have before me of a request from the United States to over-fly Shannon Airport — the question the Deputy asked — but I must make the point that the negotiations and discussions have not been completed.
As the Deputy is aware, this type of issue will be solved only through political pressure and by political muscle. In view of the fact that members of the Cabinet will be in the United States over the Saint Patrick's Day period, would the Minister ensure that some of the Ministers raise this issue at the highest level in Washington, because that is the quickest way to get a satisfactory solution?
I am sure the point made by Deputy Nealon will be taken on board when the negotiations and discussions are resumed here in Dublin.
In view of what the Minister has said already, would he confirm that the arrangements pertaining to Shannon are not sacrosanct and that they may be altered by Government given the importance of Aer Lingus acquiring landing rights on the west coast of the United States?
At this point there is no change in the arrangements of that agreement, which goes back to 1945.
It is probably relevant to these negotiations.
At this point a change is not envisaged.