Mary O'Rourke
Question:39 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the efforts being made by his Department to attract additional airlines to fly Irish routes. [14056/95]
Written Answers. - Promotion of Irish Airline Routes.
Tony Killeen
Question:121 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the efforts, if any, being made by his Department to attract additional airlines to fly Irish routes. [14117/95]
David Andrews
Question:148 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the efforts, if any, being made by his Department to attract additional airlines to fly Irish routes. [14155/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 121 and 148 together.
I regard the development of more competitive, regular and good quality access links with our main markets as vital to the achievement of our objectives in the areas of tourism and export promotion.
The provision of substantial resources from the Exchequer and the EU for the overseas marketing of Ireland as a holiday destination, raises the profile of Ireland in the markets, thereby generating greater demand for air services. Specific support for the marketing campaigns of carriers, giving particular priority to assisting the marketing of additional capacity and the development of new routes, acts as a further incentive to attract additional airlines to fly Irish routes. Meanwhile I personally have taken every opportunity open to me to speak to carriers about the potential which Ireland holds for new services. I am particularly concerned that there should be adequate access capacity on transatlantic routes into Ireland to amply cater for potential tourists.
I would also add that the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications is responsible for the regulation of air services to and from Ireland. I am aware that an inherent part of his aviation policy is to seek to improve competitiveness by facilitating the development of a wide range of safe, reliable and regular commercial air services for Irish tourism, trade and industry, at the lowest competitive economic cost.
Ultimately, however, it is important to bear in mind that the initiation of services by new airlines is a matter for decision by such airlines on the basis of their commercial judgment.