Vol. 263 No. 12
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if the Government have given sanction for an increase in air fares between this country and Britain; if not, whether they are considering a request from Aer Lingus for such an increase; and if his Department are satisfied that any such increase is warranted.
23.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will make a statement in regard to the proposed increase by 7 per cent in all air fares between the Republic and the United Kingdom from next April; if he considers such an increase justified; and if he will refuse approval for this increase.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.
The airlines are very conscious of the need to keep fares as low as possible so as to attract additional business for their own services and additional tourist traffic for the country. In all cases the economics of operation must be taken into account and the fares structures must be related to costs and commitments. In addition, there are international commitments which cannot be ignored. If for reasons beyond control costs continue to rise, and that is still the current position, I must be prepared to authorise reasonable fares increases so that the airlines may continue to provide the services necessary to meet public demand.
I have not yet received proposals from Aer Lingus for cross-Channel fare levels in the year commencing 1st April, 1973. If and when I receive such proposals I will deal with them in the light of the considerations I have just mentioned.
Would the Minister not agree that the fares between Ireland and Great Britain are the highest in Europe at present?
That is a total fallacy.
It is true.
Would the Minister be good enough to let me have comparative figures?
I shall be very glad to furnish both Deputies O'Connell and Flanagan with figures to sustain what I have stated.
They should be on the record of the House.
The Minister is so concerned with Brussels that he has forgotten about the Dublin to Britain flights.
