asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the number of applications he has had for airlines to fly into Dublin Airport directly from the North American continent; and whether any bilateral agreement in which Aer Lingus and a US or Canadian carrier are being considered with a similar fate for Shannon Transatlantic Airport such as a Manchester/Dublin/New York route or Toronto/Dublin/other Eastern airports or Quebec/Dublin/other Eastern airports.
Written Answers. - Air Routes.
86.
In so far as US airlines are concerned, it would be a matter for the US Authorities to make the application in the first instance. No such application has been received. In any event, as the Deputy is aware, it is established Government policy that Shannon Airport is Ireland's sole transatlantic gateway and no change in this policy is at present envisaged.
In so far as Canadian airlines are concerned, negotiations took place last December between the Canadian and Irish Authorities on a new air services agreement between Ireland and Canada. During those discussions, the Canadian Authorities sought direct access to Dublin and points beyond via Dublin for its scheduled carriers. The Canadians were advised that direct access to Dublin was not possible in the light of the established Government policy to which I have already referred.