asked the Minister for Communications the discussions, if any, which have taken place with other States regarding the provision of immigration or pre-customs clearance for them at Irish airports; the States involved; if it is intended to provide these facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Airport Pre-Clearance Facilities.
8.
In the past few weeks discussions have taken place on a number of occasions with US authorities on the possibility of introducing US customs-immigration pre-clearance facilities at Shannon Airport. The most recent meeting on the matter took place in Dublin on 19 November. That meeting which was exploratory in nature examined a number of key issues including the possibility of introducing some form of pre-clearance scheme at Shannon on an experimental basis.
The Irish and US administrations are currently considering further the various matters discussed and it is envisaged that another meeting will take place in the New Year. Pending the outcome of these discussions it is not possible to assess the prospects for the establishment of pre-clearance facilities at Shannon.
There have been no consultations with any other States regarding the possibility of establishing pre-clearance facilities at Irish airports.
Does the Minister expect that legislation will be required to introduce such a procedure even on an experimental basis and can he say what the powers and authority of US naturalisation officials would be in the Shannon area? For instance, would they have powers of detention, interrogation or arrest?
Also, what would be the position of Irish people who would be refused entry on health grounds to the US? Would the health authorities in Ireland be responsible for such people? What in general are the areas of concern that the Minister would visualise arising from such an arrangement?
The Deputy has highlighted some of the long list of difficulties that stand in the way of extending full pre-clearance facilities at Shannon. As well as those difficulties he mentioned, there are practical physical difficulties in addition to the legal difficulties and the matters of health and agriculture. Therefore, in approaching this subject we recognise that while we have our difficulties, the US authorities have their problems, too. However, if all these difficulties could be overcome I am satisfied that the establishment of pre-clearance facilities would bring significant additional benefit to Shannon, but we are a long way from the stage at which we could be more than hopeful about such an arrangement.
Would legislation be necessary to enable the putting into effect of pre-clearance arrangements, even on an experimental basis? There has been a suggestion that an arrangement may be reached during the coming summer. Can the Minister indicate whether any study has been made regarding the delays that might result at Shannon from such an arrangement and also what the cost factor might be?
All aspects of the matter are being considered carefully in the Department. The issues are being teased out in discussions with the US authorities. These discussions were resumed in November following my visit to Washington when I met the US Secretary for Transportation. It was agreed at that meeting that the talks would be resumed. A conclusion has not been reached as to whether the arrangement would necessitate legislation but I assure the Deputy that, in the event of legislation being necessary, it will be introduced and we will do everything necessary to ensure that Shannon derives every benefit possible from any advance in the matter of pre-clearance.
Is there any difference of opinion between Aer Lingus and Aer Rianta as to the desirability of this facility and is there any difficulty at Dublin Airport vis-à-vis the Shannon area on this question?
It is well known that there are differences between Aer Lingus and Aer Rianta on this matter but I would prefer that they would articulate those difficulties. However, it should not come as any surprise that there are difficulties between the two. Though they are brother companies they are separate bodies and even brothers sometimes have different points of view——
Where is Gay?
——as my brother might testify.
Deputy Wilson has put part of the question I intended raising. Can the Minister say if there has been meetings with Aer Lingus in regard to pre-clearance arrangements at Shannon and, if so, what approach have Aer Lingus adopted at such meetings? Various reports on this issue have appeared in the newspapers but I should like to hear from the Minister as to the exact approach adopted by Aer Lingus.
The ultimate stance adopted by Aer Lingus on this issue is not of vital importance. My understanding is that the difficulties voiced by Aer Lingus in regard to pre-clearance arrangements have been reduced. There are problems. There could be delays, for instance, and as Deputy De Rossa implied, cost factors, but overall I am satisfied that there is a prima facie case for pursuing the pre-clearance issue with a view to bringing about an arrangement that would be to the overall advantage, not only of Shannon but of the country generally. If we should decide that such an arrangement would not be to the advantage of the country we would not proceed with it.
Can the Minister assure us that he will bring to the House any proposals that may arise from the discussions to which he has referred, irrespective of whether legislation is deemed to be necessary? I ask the question because I believe it is important that we should have an opportunity to debate the implications of the operation within our territory of the agents of any other country. Such implications should be teased out fully in the House.
I will consider the point raised by the Deputy but until such time as I become aware of what is involved, I cannot give any commitment. Pre-clearance facilities operate already in one or two countries. I have witnessed such an arrangement firsthand in Canada in respect of the US and it seems to be working well.
There are legal problems and other sensitive areas that must be considered but if I consider the issue to be serious enough to warrant its being brought to the House, that is, if we ever reach that stage, I will have no hesitation in putting it before the House.
Having regard to the delay in introducing pre-clearance facilities at Shannon and in the light of the reply the Minister has given, is he not concerned about the public posturing of executives of Aer Lingus, as portrayed in the national newspapers, whereby they appear to be taking strict positions on this matter?
Aer Lingus are a very important contributor to the success of Shannon. That has been the case down through the years, though from time to time they have been deprecated, unfairly I should think, by Shannon interests. I would not be prepared to criticise Aer Lingus officials for expressing their point of view and for supporting what they regard as the interests of Aer Lingus. That is what they are paid for. We may disagree with their point of view at times, but they have a duty to act in the interests of the company as they see those interests.