Patrick McCartan
Ceist:7 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if she will outline the procedures in her Department governing requests for permission for trans-atlantic flights to overfly Shannon when there are adverse weather conditions there; if her attention has been drawn to reports that flight EI 133, due to leave Shannon at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, 25 March, was delayed for over 24 hours due to a combination of factors including delays in securing departmental permission to overfly Shannon because of weather conditions; whether she intends to review the procedures so that, in exceptional circumstances where permission for overflights may be necessary, it is forthcoming, in reasonable time; and if she will make a statement on the matter.