Vol. 435 No. 3
13 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the plans, if any, he has to develop new airline routes into Ireland to support the tourist drive; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Programme for Government attaches a high priority to the development of modern efficient transport links with Britain, Europe and further afield and to improving access arrangements to/from Ireland. As the regulatory authority for air transport, my Department makes every effort to ensure that there is a wide range of reliable and regular commercial air services for Irish tourism, trade and industry, at the lowest economic cost. However, the development of routes is a matter for the individual airlines.
Since the introduction of the Single Market in air transport on 1 January this year, all Community air carriers are free to fly on international routes within the Community without Government regulation.
Outside the EC, traffic rights for air services are negotiated within the framework of bilateral air transport agreements. In order to facilitate the commencement of new services to and from Ireland, I am pursuing a vigorous policy of expanding the network of air routes to and from Ireland by negotiating air transport agreements with countries with whom there is potential for services to operate in the short, medium and long term.
In line with this policy and on my specific instructions, my officials have over the past year negotiated agreements with Belarus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Georgia, Israel, the Russian Federation, Slo-venia, South Africa and Ukraine.
Air transport agreements enable Irish and foreign carriers to mount services between Ireland and the relevant countries. The question of whether an airline wishes to exercise its right to operate on any specific route is a matter for the commercial judgment of the airline.
(Limerick East): To encourage extra air routes into Ireland, has the Minister any view on the policy — or lack of policy — in Aer Lingus on common fares on the North Atlantic route between Dublin and Shannon?
That is a commercial decision for the day-to-day management of the company and the Deputy is aware of its very precarious financial position. We are putting together a framework within which we can have future transatlantic flight — which up to now has been in serious peril because of mounting losses — and a fully transparent Shannon based fleet. Commerical possibilities like interline and code sharing arrangements, are now available subject to us securing acceptance of all aspects of the survival strategy. All these commercial prospects are available to a company which, heretofore, was facing oblivion.
(Limerick East): The Minister is probably aware that there is a £20 advantage at the moment if one flies the North Atlantic through Shannon. Now that there are new arrangements where direct flights will commence in Dublin, is it intended that the advantage will be given to passengers embarking in Dublin or will the Minister ensure that what happens in other countries will apply here, that a common fare will apply ex-Shannon, ex-Dublin and into Shannon and into Dublin to give a level playing pitch for incoming and outgoing flights?
I will take up the matter with the management and communicate with the Deputy.
