Vol. 259 No. 10
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether, in view of the recent public statement by the Director General of Bord Fáilte that Bord Fáilte wanted the status quo maintained in regard to the Ireland-US Bilateral Air Agreement, he will now make a special effort to secure the co-operation of the US Government in this matter; and, if not, why.
11.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether any developments have taken place in the landing rights issue over the past month; and if he will indicate the present position in the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his questions of 25th January, 1972.
I do not propose to make any further statement at present.
In the reply to the questions referred to by the Minister he stated that discussions or talks were taking place all the time between our Government and the United States Government. Is this not correct?
Of course; they are continuing talks.
Is the Minister aware that the American Embassy were questioned yesterday by a newspaper reporter and that they stated that no discussion or talks of any kind have been taking place? The Americans were waiting for negotiations to be resumed. There is a certain amount of confusion regarding this matter and perhaps the Minister would clarify the situation. Will he state whether negotiations will have to take place before a decision is reached?
First, I take no responsibility for a newspaper report and, secondly, there is a clear distinction between formal negotiations as such and informal discussions that are continuing all the time between the two Governments concerned.
Can the Minister state when a decision is likely to be made?
I cannot say at this stage.
12.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power the number of applications for landing rights at Shannon Airport during 1972 which have been received from US charter airlines and the total number of landings sanctioned for 1972.
To date, 13 applications have been received from US charter airlines to carry affinity charter groups from the US into Shannon in 1972. Six of these flights have already been authorised. Permission for the remaining seven has not been granted because adequate charter capacity to carry these groups can be provided by the scheduled operators on the routes on which the flights are to operate which are routes designated under the Air Agreement with the US. I understand that the scheduled carriers are to carry the traffic in three cases and are in negotiation about the remaining four.
Can the Minister state if there has been a substantial increase in the number of applications for landing rights for charter flights, particularly from the west coast of the United States?
Yes.
The Department is favourably disposed to granting those applications?
The only applications we are not granting are for those places from which Aer Lingus flights operate—Chicago, Boston and New York. Outside those cases, provided the bona fides are all right, we are anxious to grant the applications.
