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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Jun 1956

Vol. 158 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transatlantic Air Service.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether the inauguration of an air service to the United States of America and Canada is in contemplation; and whether, in view of the much needed employment which would be given and the fact that other European countries have found transatlantic services to be an economic success, he is prepared to give favourable consideration to any proposals for the inauguration of such a service, which may be submitted to him by Aer Lingus.

The inauguration of an air service to the United States and Canada is not contemplated at present. I would give favourable consideration to any proposals for the inauguration of such a service that would not involve the Exchequer in heavy capital investment on which there would be no worth-while return or in continuing subsidy payments.

Is the Minister satisfied that the previous scheme put forward by Aer Lingus for a transatlantic service showed that the return on the capital expenditure would be adequate? Would he use his good offices with the board, who may be of the opinion that the Minister is antagonistic to a policy of a transatlantic service at this stage? Is the Minister further aware that when he stated, as quoted in the Irish Independent of the 5th June, at the European Airport Authorities, that he hoped next year——

Quotations are not allowed at Question Time.

The Minister stated that he hoped the Irish flag would be carried into other countries with which we had not yet aerial contact. Would the Minister state, if those hopes include the two countries, America and Canada, that he would be in favour of aerial contact with these two countries?

That seems an entirely different question.

I shall endeavour to recollect the supplementaries.

May I hope that the Tánaiste will consult the Minister for Agriculture as to what are the opinions of the rabbits at Rineanna?

I am sorry that the Deputy's return to the House should be marked by such an infantile performance. My reference to Aer Lingus carrying the Irish flag to other countries refers to my anticipation that next year Aer Lingus will be flying to Germany, Switzerland and Italy. That is the extent to which I was referring. I am prepared to give favourable consideration to the inauguration of a service to the United States and Canada provided that it does not involve capital investment from which there would be no worthwhile return or that it does not involve continuing subsidies. The last transatlantic scheme contemplated by the previous Government would have involved the Irish people in very heavy subsidies from which they would not have got any material return. I am not antagonistic to transatlantic services but I am antagonistic to the dissipation of the resources of the Irish people on services which would not give a return.

That is a matter of opinion.

Is the Minister aware that if the previous Government's scheme had been put into operation we would now have over 2,200 people employed as a result? The Lockheed maintenance factory was knocked on the head.

And there would be £10,000,000 of the Irish people's money gone down the drain.

There is no basis for that statement, whatever.

Of course there is.

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