The provision of transatlantic air services between Ireland and the United States is governed by the Ireland-US air transport agreement which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications. In accordance with the terms of that agreement, designated airlines of both countries are free to operate air services on specified routes between both countries.
As Minister for Tourism and Trade, I am concerned that there should be adequate access capacity on transatlantic routes into Ireland to amply cater for prospective tourists. The existing scheduled carriers — Aer Lingus and Delta — provide a good service from three gateways, two in the north-east and one in the south. However, as the Deputy has pointed out, we currently do not enjoy direct scheduled services from other regions of the US. This lack of a direct service is one of the factors, but by no means the only one, which encourages a greater number of US visitors from these regions to come to Ireland on an indirect route, with the consequent loss of bed nights and revenue in this country. An opportunity now exists for new scheduled services to Ireland, especially from regions of the US not currently served. I say this for three reasons: first, demand is increasing. It is estimated that US holidaymakers to Ireland increased by 21 per cent in 1994. This year the target is to increase this segment by a further 11 per cent. Initial estimates are that all transatlantic arrivals in the first quarter of 1995 are up by 28 per cent. The second reason is that we are spending more on marketing. Last year's US marketing initiative which was operated in partnership between the State and private sectors has been followed up this year by a new overseas tourism marketing initiative and the third is that the ongoing peace process will remove an impediment which has hindered the growth of tourism from the US.
Ultimately, the question of whether an existing carrier or a new carrier wishes to operate on a specific route is a matter for decision by such airline on the basis of its commercial judgment.
For this reason, I have proposed that the issue of access be an important element of the tourism part of this month's Washington Conference on trade and investment in Ireland, to which the major US airlines have been invited.
Our counterparts in Northern Ireland have also made access a priority for the tourism discussions at the conference. Our hope is that the conference will provide an ideal opportunity to present the business opportunities of Irish tourism, including opportunities for new airline services, to a high powered and influential US audience.
Both I and my Department are in regular contact with the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications and his Department, respectively, on the development of more competitive, regular and good quality access links with our main markets.
