I propose to take Questions Nos. 291 to 293, inclusive, together.
Brexit is the foremost strategic risk for my Department, and I and my officials are engaged in consultations with all transport stakeholders in order to plan for and mitigate the risks associated with Brexit and to identify opportunities arising. On 23 January, I hosted an All-Island dialogue on Brexit and implications for Transport and Tourism, with the objective of getting viewpoints from various stakeholders on how the UK decision will affect them and what can be done by both industry and by Government to mitigate these adverse effects.
As an island nation, the aviation sector is critical to Ireland. It is essential for our trading relationships, for all our industries especially tourism, manufacturing and retail. The UK is by far the most important origin and destination for international passengers to and from Ireland. The current extent of air traffic between the UK and Ireland is approximately 11 million passengers and in excess of 100,000 aircraft movements each year. I am very concerned about the potential impacts of Brexit on Irish aviation and the implications for tourism and for the wider economy. These concerns have been conveyed to the European Commission's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, and his team. The Department of the Taoiseach remains in constant contact with the Barnier team and will continue to engage with them on these and other Irish concerns.
Aviation services between the UK and Ireland and within the EU operate under the traffic rights afforded under the Single European Aviation Area. The British Prime Minister's recent announcements on the UK's negotiating position made it clear that a 'hard Brexit' is likely. It will be necessary therefore to negotiate a new aviation transport agreement between the EU (27 Member States) and the UK.
In the absence of a replacement arrangement, the existing traffic rights of Irish licensed airlines to fly between the UK and Ireland, the UK and the rest of the EU, within the UK, and between the UK and a range of other third countries, could be negatively impacted.
The overall connectivity objectives outlined under the National Aviation Policy (NAP), remain unchanged by the UK's decision to exit the EU. Obviously, Brexit presents a major challenge to the maintenance of current connectivity levels as well as our future growth objectives. The National Civil Aviation Development Forum (NCADF), which was established under the NAP, has provided a platform for key stakeholders from the Irish aviation sector to discuss the potential impact of Brexit. Along with the outputs of the recent All-Island Dialogue, these discussions will guide any future actions deemed necessary under the National Aviation Policy in the context of the Brexit negotiations as they evolve.
There will be no negotiations with the UK until Article 50 has been triggered. However, in preparing for those negotiations, I am seeking to ensure that aviation will be a top negotiation priority for Ireland.
