Vol. 456 No. 5
167 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade his views on the importance of our national airline, Aer Lingus, in relation to tourist potential and development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14181/95]
Aer Lingus clearly has a central and significant role to play in contributing to the continued development of the Irish tourism industry. Aer Lingus operates the most extensive range of frequent scheduled services to the Irish market, including services within Ireland, between Ireland and nine UK airports, ten European destinations and between Belfast, Dublin and Shannon and New York and Boston.
Aer Lingus is also a heavy investor in the marketing of Ireland overseas, both in its own capacity as a passenger carrier advertising services into Ireland and in partnership with the State and the private sector, promoting Ireland as a tourist destination in certain overseas co-operative tourism marketing initiatives.
