Though this might be of interest: it's a PQ raised in the Dail on the issue of negotiations between Ireland and the US and specifically whether (as has often been suggested) the govt can open negotiations to update the current bilateral, for example to allow flights to ORK or to change the current ratio of flights from DUB to SNN. (Changing this from 1:1 to 2:1 will effectively allow EI three more daily flights ex DUB).
However, the govt has been extremely silent about this and will not say whether negotiations are ongoing with the US or have even been started.
The problem for EI is that if the govt chooses to do nothing and wait for the EU to do a deal with the US, that's a very difficult timescale to work with. It could happen later this year or in two years' time and of course, it's very difficult to plan a new fleet with so little certainty. This may well be why it's looking to CPT and perhaps more charter flights like MCO, particularly if the cost structure is sorted out.
Here's the question anyway:
*To ask the Minister for Transport if he has considered a challenge to
aviation regulation 847/04 in view of the fact that its effect is to
reinforce competitive disadvantage and could be considered contrary to EU
law.
- Olivia Mitchell.
* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 14th June, 2005.
Answered by the Minister for Transport
(Martin Cullen)
REPLY
The aim of Regulation 847/04 is to provide for co-ordination between
individual Member States and the Commission, for occasions when Member
States may wish to amend aspects of their Bilateral agreements with third
countries.
The Commission had recognised that Member States may need to negotiate with
third countries on various aspects of their Bilaterals on issues, such as
market access, which were not the subject of the European Court of Justice
ruling in November 2002. By introducing this Regulation the intention was
to ensure that any such negotiations are done in consultation with the
European Commission, to ensure that the resulting amendments to Bilaterals
are not in conflict with European Law, or with negotiations that the
Commission itself may intend to have with those third countries.
On the assumption that this Regulation is implemented in the spirit in
which it was intended, I do not see any reason to take legal action.