Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 7

Written Answers. - EC Transport Policy.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

241 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications the current position in relation to the proposed liberalisation of EC transport in the context of the Single European Market in 1993 with particular reference to access by carriers to new routes and access to airport slots by new carriers; and if he will outline the Irish position in these current negotiations.

Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications (Mr. S. Brennan)

As part of the process of completing the internal market in air transport within the EC Community, the EC Commission submitted to the Council of Ministers (Transport) in July 1991 draft Council Regulations governing the further liberalisation of this sector, entitled: (i) Licensing of Air Carriers; (ii) Access for Air Carriers to Intra-Community Air routes; and (iii) Fares and Rates for Air Services.

In addition, the Commission has submitted draft Council Regulations amending: (i) Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3975/87 laying down the procedure for the application of the rules on competition to undertakings in the air transport sector; (ii) Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3976/87 on the application of Article 85(3) of the Treaty to certain categories of agreements and concerted practices in the air transport sector.

Council Regulation No. 3976/87 is to be revised by 31 December 1992.

Broadly, the Commission's proposals provide for the harmonisation of rules among member states for the licensing of air carriers; the opening up of full traffic rights, including fifth freedom, seventh freedom and cabotage rights to all Community air carriers; the abolition of capacity sharing restrictions; the introduction of a double disapproval fares regime under which all fares would come into effect unless disapproved by both member states involved and the maintenance of exemptions from the rules of competition of the Treaty for certain categories of inter-airline agreements, decisions and concerted practices and the extension of the competition rules of the Treaty to domestic air transport.

As the Commission's proposals are consistent with stated Government policy on the development of air transport, Ireland will be supporting the general thrust of the proposals.

I should add that in January 1991, the Commission submitted to the Council a draft Regulation on Common Rules for the Allocation of Slots at Community Airports. Negotiations at Council level on these proposals are at a very early stage, but we have already expressed our concern that certain aspects of the proposals could have possible major negative consequences on existing air services between Ireland and certain airports in other EC member states. Similar concerns have been expressed by the majority of member states.