asked the Minister for Transport and Power the total number of calves and other livestock transported by air from this country from 1st January, 1975, to date; and the names of the air cargo companies involved in the operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Livestock Air Transport.
6.
The airlines involved in the transportation of livestock traffic during 1975 were principally: Aer Turas, Martinair, Transavia, Iscargo, Overseas National Airways, Trans International Airlines, Pacific Western Airlines, Invicta.
My Department do not keep detailed figures of exports by air. Questions relating to export statistics should be addressed to the Taoiseach. However, I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries on 3rd December in relation to calf exports when he indicated that about 75,000 calves were exported from this country in the first ten months of 1975. I understand that all these calves travelled by air.
Will the Minister inform the House how many flights were involved in this operation and how many of the flights were operated by Aer Lingus or Aer Turas, a subsidiary?
I have not that information here. Aer Lingus operated none because they had not suitable aircraft. I would imagine that the largest carrier in this area might have been Aer Turas but I am not sure of that. I would have to get that information for the Deputy.
Will the Minister state where Aer Turas operate from? Do they operate from Shannon, Dublin or Cork airports?
All three. They are a commercial freight-carrying air company who would operate from any one of the three if they got the contract.
I understand from rather anxious employees of Aer Turas and Aer Lingus that no Aer Turas flight operated out of Shannon airport for this purpose, that all the companies carrying calves and livestock out of Shannon Airport are foreign cargo companies.
No company outside this country will be authorised to carry from this country without a licence from my Department. That licence would only be issued after consultation with Aer Turas who would indicate that they could not at that time take the cargo and then the licence is issued, but Aer Turas have what amounts to the first right of refusal.
How many licences were issued by the Minister to these foreign companies?
This seems to be a separate question.
If the Deputy put down that question I could have the information.
It is a separate question.
It is all relevant. My information is that all this traffic is handled by a foreign cargo company.
The Deputy seems to be imparting information rather than seeking it.
It is because Aer Turas has not the capacity to handle it, but anything that Aer Turas has the capacity to handle it does handle.