I propose to take Questions Nos. 575 and 577 together.
This matter has been raised with the US authorities on a number of occasions at the highest level. On 2 August last I wrote to the US Secretary of Transportation, Anthony Foxx, urging him to make a positive decision on Norwegian Air International's permit application without any further delay, in accordance with the provisions of the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. The 2½ year delay by the US authorities in making a decision on NAI's permit application is not acceptable. I and my Department continue to liaise closely with the European Commission regarding the matter. The next step in resolving the issue is for the Commission to initiate a formal arbitration under Article 19 of the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. I would fully support such a step.
The EU-US Open Skies Agreement Joint Committee will meet again in November, which will provide a further opportunity for the matter to be raised with the US side.
In the meantime, this issue could be immediately resolved if the US authorities grant NAI its permit, so that the airline can start operating the new route from Cork to Boston and other new transatlantic routes.