Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 July 2014
225. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will amend the draft national policy on aviation by removing section 3.1, which would allow non-EU and US airlines to pick up passengers at Irish airports and fly directly to the US, substantially undermining Irish jobs and conditions. [30541/14]
View answerThe draft National Aviation Policy for Ireland was published on 21 May 2014 following a public consultation process in 2013. The consultation process covered all elements of aviation policy and the draft National Aviation Policy takes account of the submissions received. On the issue of fifth freedom traffic rights for airlines, the majority of submissions received favoured the adoption of a fully liberalised approach.
The policy proposal in Section 3.1 to which you refer is that a liberal approach should be taken by my Department to any requests from non EU and non US airlines to serve routes to/from Ireland where there is a clear benefit for Ireland and the travelling public. I have invited submissions of the draft National Aviation policy published on 21 May. Airlines and any other interested parties have an opportunity through the consultation process to express their views on this proposal and all other proposals in the draft before the closing date for submissions on 31 July.
