Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 3

Written Answers. - Air Transport Services.

John Perry

Question:

79 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a company (details supplied) has ceased all transport cargo to Knock Airport: if her attention has further been drawn to the major difficulties that this will cause due to the fact that this service was used by 250 families in the west of Ireland; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the cancellation will cause major hardship in view of the fact that it will be no longer possible for families in the west of Ireland to use this service for the removal of remains of relatives; if this decision is in breach of the conditions of this company's contract with her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15975/97]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The granting of air transport operating licences to air carriers in the European Union is governed by Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2407/92. The operating licence is an authorisation which permits the licence holder to engage in the carriage of passengers, mail and/or cargo by air.

The operating licences granted to Irish air carriers by my Department in accordance with Regulation No. 2407/92 do not impose any conditions which oblige the licensee to provide any particular services or to operate on any specific route. The question of the company involved being in breach of contract with my Department does not, therefore, arise.

The Single Market rules on air transport permit all appropriately licensed EU carriers to operate air services on any international route within the Community without any restriction on the type of air service, frequency or capacity. The question as to whether an airline wishes to operate on a particular route and the type of services it wishes to provide is, therefore, entirely a matter for the individual airline to decide on the basis of its own commercial judgment.

I understand, however, that the company in question has ceased the carriage of cargo on all its services and not just those operating to Knock Airport. The company has advised my Department that because of this decision, it no longer has the handling facilities appropriate to the carriage of human remains and, therefore, could not guarantee to handle such remains with the dignity and respect that would be appropriate.