Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022
176. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the way that applications to operate in Ireland under the fifth freedom are considered in aviation; if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding such permits (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15548/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of scheduled air services is typically governed by international law as is the case in the European Union or by air services agreements which may be bilateral or multilateral in nature. Air services agreements set out, among other things, the arrangements for exchange of air traffic rights.
Included in these agreements is the reciprocal exchange of traffic rights i.e. the scheduled air services that are permitted to be flown by the air operators of the parties to the agreement. Agreements may also set out further rights that may be exercised with the approval of both parties on a case by case basis. That is often the case with fifth-freedom rights.
Ireland has traditionally held a liberal aviation policy that has proven hugely successful in expanding the international connectivity that is critical in underpinning business, foreign direct investment and tourism. As such we have maintained a broadly positive approach towards the grant of approval for additional competitive air services whether based on the exercise of fifth freedom rights or otherwise.
The National Aviation Policy 2015 sets out an undertaking that the discretionary award of rights to provide air services based on a fifth freedom basis should take account of the views of stakeholders. This process continues for each application received for fifth freedoms on proposed scheduled passenger air services by third country air operators.
