asked the Minister for Transport and Power if a meeting between the Taoiseach and President Nixon on the landing rights dispute is being considered in view of its national importance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Landing Rights Dispute.
44.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his questions on 25th January, 1972.
I do not propose to make any further statement in the matter at present.
When will the Minister be in a position to make a statement on this or has a decision already been reached?
No decision has been reached. The matter is still the subject of——
Sub judice?
——high level and important discussions.
Will the matter be considered at the highest political level?
The Deputy and the House can be assured of that at all stages. We maintain contact at all levels in this matter.
Surely we must make some decision in the near future or we will lose all passengers from the North American continent?
The decision in this matter is not a matter for us entirely. This is a matter for discussion with another power that has taken the decision that has caused the situation. These discussions are taking place.
Is it not a fact that the bookings to come to Ireland would be taken from Christmas up to April and if we are not in the field and not sure of being in the field we cannot take these bookings and if we cannot take these bookings Aer Lingus will lose on it? Is that not correct? Is there nothing we can do to speed up the decision?
The sooner a decision by agreement between the United States Government and the Irish Government is reached the better from the point of view of our tourist industry and the economy as a whole.
Question No. 45.
Mr. O'Donnell
Am I correct in saying that a meeting is being arranged between the two Governments and, if so, is there a date fixed for that meeting?
Talks and discussions are currently taking place and have at all times been taking place at official level and at political level. This is the way Governments work together. I can say no more because at present finality has not been reached.
Question No. 45.
It is my question and I should like to ask one final supplementary. Is the Minister satisfied that there will not be a deterioration in the revenue to Aer Lingus as a result of this? Is he satisfied that the matter will be settled to the satisfaction of this country?
Mr. O'Donnell
And to the satisfaction of Shannon as well?
It is important that the matter should be settled to the advantage of all interests concerned in Ireland mainly our tourist industry, secondly the airline, Shannon Airport and the Shannon region generally. From the point of view of the economy as a whole, every aspect of the economy, it is important that this matter be settled.
The Minister has kept a check——
I assumed the Deputy was putting a final supplementary question. I am calling Question No. 45.
——on the bookings of Aer Lingus at New York?