Vol. 562 No. 4
356 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport if preliminary contact has been made with US authorities with a view to renegotiating the Bilateral Air Transport Agreement with the United States; the Government's current policy on the Shannon stopover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6489/03]
No contact has been made by my Department with US authorities in relation to renegotiating the Irish Bilateral Air Transport Agreement with the United States.
In accordance with that agreement, airlines operating flights between the USA and Ireland must serve Shannon at least as often as they do Dublin.
Discussions are under way at European level to consider the appropriate response to the recent judgment by the European Court of Justice which will require changes to the bilateral agreements of all EC member states.
There may be serious implications for Shannon and I am having them examined.
