Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 7

Written Answers. - Aviation Agreements.

Batt O'Keeffe

Question:

10 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications his views on the matter of the six member states of the EU that are allegedly contravening EU law by signing wideranging aviation agreements with the United States of America. [11186/95]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

I am aware that six member states of the European Union have been in negotiation with the United States with regard to the possible conclusion of individual "open skies" bilateral air-services agreements. The question of whether such action by the member states concerned contravenes European Union law would be a matter ultimately for the European Courts to decide.

In April this year the Commission put forward a proposal for a Council decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations with the United States in the field of air transport. There is at present no consensus on the appropriate way forward, with some member states favouring the continuation of bilateral negotiations and others favouring a common EU approach. The issue of how best to proceed in regard to aviation relations with the United States was discussed at a meeting of the Council of Ministers in Luxembourgh yesterday, 20 June 1995. Council agreed that the matter should be examined in detail by the aviation group comprised of high level officials from the Commission and member states with a view to bringing forward final proposals during the Spanish Presidency on how best to proceed in this area.

I believe that a detailed examination of the practical considerations involved may lead to solutions on the issue of principle. A detailed assessment of the proposals in the draft Commission mandate is required in order to fully assess the implications of a common approach. While the issue is complex and not without difficulties for all concerned, we have indicated that we are committed to finding an agreed way forward and will work with the Commission, the Presidency and other member states to this end. I strongly believe that seeking consenses rather than confrontation is the most appropriate way to proceed with this issue in the interests of European aviation.

This viewpoint was strongly expressed during yesterday's discussions by the Irish delegation. I am happy to say these views were well received. While intensive work remains to be done during the Spanish Presidency, yesterday's work was a step in the right direction and should help to avoid unnecessary confontation between the Commission and the member states in the legal area.