Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Airport. – Dáil Éireann (26th Dáil) – Tuesday, 25 Feb 1992

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Airport.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

11 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if the Government have yet considered the memorandum prepared by her predecessor regarding the status of Shannon Airport, and especially the compulsory stop over requirement of transatlantic flights; if she intends to publish the memorandum or outline its main provisions; if her attention has been drawn to the recent warning issued by the Irish Airline Pilot's Association that Aer Lingus could be forced to shut down their transatlantic operations unless there is a change in the compulsory stop-over policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Ivor Callely

Question:

22 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if she will outline the outcome of her predecessor's recent promotional tour to the USA for increased and new flight routes to Ireland by US carriers; her views on whether the compulsory stop over at Shannon is a negative factor; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Nora Owen

Question:

23 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications whether she proposes to have a meeting with the Fly Dublin Direct Committee at an early date; if she will outline her views on direct flight access into Dublin from the United States; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

48 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications whether she considers the compulsory Shannon stop-over to have a positive or a negative impact in the development of our tourism potential.

Ivan Yates

Question:

125 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if she will outline the guarantees, if any, she can give regarding the maintenance of existing passenger numbers or increased passenger numbers through Shannon Airport; if she will give details of any changes in these numbers; if she has any proposals from US airlines, other than current operators, to fly directly to Dublin; and, if so, if she will specify them and the safeguards she is putting in place, if there is any change to protect employment in the mid-west region.

Ivan Yates

Question:

126 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if she will make a statement clarifying the accuracy of reports of Government discussions with regard to a decision to end the compulsory transatlantic flight stopovers at Shannon Airport; if she has submitted proposals to Government to allow US direct flights to Dublin for 1992; and if she will specify the details of these proposals.

Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 22, 23, 48, 125 and 126 together.

Last week, I embarked on a round of discussions with interests concerned with air services between Ireland and North America and the related issue of Government policy on the compulsory Shannon stop. I have met with Aer Lingus, Aer Rianta, Bord Faíilte, Fly Dublin Direct Committee, Galway Chamber of Commerce, the Irish Airline Pilot's Association, ICTU, Shannon Development, Shannon Status Committee, Shannon Town Commissioners and SIGNAL representing the workforce.

While the pros and cons of a change in policy have been well articulated by interested parties I have asked for additional information on certain issues and I expect to have further consultations over the course of the next week or so.

I am particularly concerned to ensure that the pivotal role which transatlantic services play in regional development and employment creation in the west of Ireland is in no way undermined. At the same time I am acutely aware of the crisis facing Aer Lingus on their transatlantic operations and their inability to undertake the investment in fleet replacement so urgently needed on that route.

I have not yet formulated any proposals for consideration by Government. I still have an open mind on how this issue should be resolved. However, because of the effects which uncertainty about the future of the Shannon stop is having on investment in the region I have indicated that I will put proposals before Government within a matter of weeks.

Mr. Byrne

Will the Minister agree to once and for all grasp this political hot potato and formulate policies which will alleviate on the one hand the fears of job losses in the mid-western region and satisfy the demands of Aer Lingus and Bord Fáilte to end the compulsory stop-over at Shannon on the other? Will the Minister confirm that her predecessor proposed in his memorandum that the compulsory stop-over should be phased out over a five year period in order to allow business, industrial and tourist interests time to adjust? Will she also confirm that he argued in his memorandum for the setting up of an independent commission, similar in structure to the review body of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress to monitor the effects of the ending of the stop-over on the region? Will she confirm he also suggested the Shannon Development Authority and Bord Fáilte should receive targeting funding to compensate for any job losses attributable to the change in policy?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is imparting information rather than seeking it.

Mr. Byrne

I am asking if that is the case.

Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn

I have already grasped the hot potato, within a week of my appointment, by meeting the various interests on both sides of the argument. I do not think it would be appropriate for me to give the Deputy information in relation to a confidential Government memorandum which was submitted to the Government by my predecessor.

Mr. Byrne

Would the Minister explain the implications of the refusal of the request from Delta Airlines for overflight facilities to Dublin?

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a very specific matter and is worthy of a separate question.

Mr. Byrne

We are talking about the implications——

An Ceann Comhairle

I know that, but getting down to specifics can be difficult at times.

Mr. Byrne

Perhaps it is difficult for the Minister to answer the question.

Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn

No, it is not.

Mr. Farrelly

All the previous policies are dead.

Mr. Byrne

Considering that Aer Lingus are not servicing the Chicago and the Los Angeles routes and given that we are waiting for the Minister's "mature" decision on the Shannon stop-over, would the Minister agree that to sanction the Dublin-Los Angeles direct flight would make economic sense and would have no immediate effect on Shannon?

Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn

It would be wrong to make a decision on any one of the specific issues raised without bringing to a final resolution the issue as a whole. In reply to the previous supplementary raised by Deputy Byrne in relation to Delta Airlines and the implications of the Delta proposal, I am sure Deputy Byrne is not suggesting that Government policy in relation to Shannon or any other issue should be decided by airlines. Such decisions should be made by the Members of this House and by the Government.

Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 25 Feb 1992