Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2006
522 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he with his Ministerial colleagues will take the opportunity arising from the delay in the arrival of open skies to allocate the necessary resources to implement the Mid West Tourism and Economic Development Plan, which once implemented will prepare the region for open skies when final agreement is reached between the US and EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34262/06]
View answerIn announcing the agreement reached with the US authorities in December 2005 in relation to a transitional arrangement for Shannon Airport in the context of the proposed EU/US ‘open skies' I indicated that I would prepare, in consultation with my colleagues, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, a tourism and economic development plan for Shannon and the West of Ireland.
Preparation of the plan is at an advanced stage and together with my colleagues I will be giving careful consideration to the input from the Mid West Regional Authority. The Deputy will appreciate that at this stage of the process it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any specific aspects of the plan.
523 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Transport the procedures in place should an elected representative be unhappy with the response of the Irish Aviation Authority on a specific or general matter regarding monitoring the height of incoming aircraft; and if there is opportunity to raise the issue at Dáil Éireann level in the interests of democratic accountability. [34336/06]
View answerThe Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is an independent body set up under the provisions of the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993. Responsibility for the monitoring of the height of incoming aircraft is a matter for the IAA under the functions conferred on it under the Act.
My Department has no role or function in this area.
