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Dáil Éireann - Volume 452 - 10 May, 1995 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transatlantic Air Services. Mr. Molloy Mr. Molloy 3. Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the views, if any, he has on deficiencies in the present air access arrangement from North America, in particular the lack of direct flights from the south-east, south-west and west coast of the United States and the negative effect this is having on Irish tourism; if his Department has consulted with the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications on the matter; and if he will give details of steps being taken to improve the situation. [8428/95] Mr. E. Kenny Mr. E. Kenny Mr. E. Kenny: The provision of transatlantic air services between Ireland and the United States is governed by the Ireland-US air transport agreement which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications. In accordance with the terms of that agreement, designated airlines of both countries are free to operate air services on specified routes between both countries. 1283 As Minister for Tourism and Trade, I am concerned that there should be adequate access capacity on transatlantic routes into Ireland to amply cater for prospective tourists. The existing scheduled carriers — Aer Lingus and Delta — provide a good service from three gateways, two in the north-east and one in the south. However, as the Deputy has pointed out, we currently do not enjoy direct scheduled services from other regions of the US. This lack of a direct service is one of the factors, but by no means the only one, which encourages a greater number of US visitors from these regions to come to Ireland on an indirect route, with the consequent loss of bed nights and revenue in this country. [1283] An opportunity now exists for new scheduled services to Ireland, especially from regions of the US not currently served. I say this for three reasons: first, demand is increasing. It is estimated that US holidaymakers to Ireland increased by 21 per cent in 1994. This year the target is to increase this segment by a further 11 per cent. Initial estimates are that all transatlantic arrivals in the first quarter of 1995 are up by 28 per cent. The second reason is that we are spending more on marketing. Last year's US marketing initiative which was operated in partnership between the State and private sectors has been followed up this year by a new overseas tourism marketing initiative and the third is that the ongoing peace process will remove an impediment which has hindered the growth of tourism from the US. Ultimately, the question of whether an existing carrier or a new carrier wishes to operate on a specific route is a matter for decision by such airline on the basis of its commercial judgment. For this reason, I have proposed that the issue of access be an important element of the tourism part of this month's Washington Conference on trade and investment in Ireland, to which the major US airlines have been invited. Our counterparts in Northern Ireland have also made access a priority for the tourism discussions at the conference. Our hope is that the conference will provide an ideal opportunity to present the business opportunities of Irish tourism, including opportunities for new airline services, to a high powered and influential US audience. Both I and my Department are in regular contact with the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications and his Department, respectively, on the development of more competitive, regular and good quality access links with our main markets. Mr. Molloy Mr. Molloy 1284 Mr. Molloy: I thank the Minister for his reply and for his tentative [1284] acknowledgment of the lack of adequate access routes into Ireland for potential tourists from certain parts of America. He must accept there is a need for a new air transport agreement between Ireland and America to allow direct access from the southern states, including Texas, the west coast and the south-east states. There is enormous potential but because of the lack of direct access routes we are not getting anything like the percentage of American tourists who visit continental Europe and the United Kingdom; we are only getting a small percentage of the 40 million Irish-Americans who desire to visit here. Does the Minister agree that it is essential that all adequate security arrangements be made in America and, if not, that this can have—— An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: I am sorry, but the Deputy is going on too long. He should let the Minister reply. Mr. E. Kenny Mr. E. Kenny Mr. E. Kenny: I accept that it is my responsibility to ensure this country is marketed properly internationally. Under the overseas tourism marketing initiative £6 million will be spent this year in marketing this country abroad. A large number of tourists come to Ireland on an indirect route, principally through London. British Airways fly 600,000 people approximately from California directly to Great Britain. Only a small percentage of these visit Ireland. That airline circulated over 1.5 million brochures in which Ireland was marketed as a single island entity to 32,000 travel agents in North America this year. 1285 We are going to use the Washington Conference to present to the heads of carriers the business opportunities that now exist in tourism. I intend to meet my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, before the conference to adopt a clear co-ordinated line. It is a matter for the airlines to decide whether they [1285] wish to commence new scheduled services on the basis of their commercial judgment. Mr. Molloy Mr. Molloy Mr. Molloy: The question does not relate to North America; it relates to the south-east, south-west and west coasts of the United States. Unfortunately, it has been the practice of Bord Fáilte and the Department to concentrate their marketing efforts on the east coast, the Boston, New York and Washington area, and to neglect the vast potential in the southern states. An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: Questions, please. Mr. Molloy Mr. Molloy Mr. Molloy: In attempts to open up direct access I ask the Minister to concentrate specifically on the southern states of America. Is the Minister aware of the effect of the recent decision of the Minister for Defence to transfer the bomb disposal section of the Army from Limerick to Cork which is of serious concern to those in charge of security at Shannon Airport and those who own the airlines flying into Shannon? It may have a detrimental effect on the number of American tourists coming here. An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: That seems to be a separate matter. Mr. Molloy Mr. Molloy Mr. Molloy: In view of the serious concern arising from the Oklahoma incident—— An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: I am sorry, Deputy Molloy, this is Question Time, not debating time. Mr. Molloy Mr. Molloy Mr. Molloy: ——what action will the Minister take to ensure the bomb disposal unit of the Army is retained in Limerick? An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy has had a good innings and may not go on interminably. Mr. E. Kenny Mr. E. Kenny 1286 [1286] Mr. E. Kenny: Deputy Molloy has been diverted from his flight plan. His question referred specifically to North America and mentions the west, south-west and south-east coasts. An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: The question refers to arrangements from North America. Mr. E. Kenny Mr. E. Kenny Mr. E. Kenny: As I said at the Washington conference, both I and my colleague, the Minster for Transport, Energy and Communications, intend to present a clear line to the heads of carriers in terms of what we want. Mr. Molloy Mr. Molloy Mr. Molloy: Is the Minister aware of the effect on tourism of the security risk presented by the removal of the bomb disposal unit from Limerick? An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: The time for dealing with priority questions is exhausted and I am proceeding to deal with questions Nos. 4 and 5. Mr. Molloy Mr. Molloy Mr. Molloy: This decision was approved by the Government—— An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: Deputy Molloy will now resume his seat and desist from further disorderly conduct. Mr. Molloy Mr. Molloy Mr. Molloy: I wish to ask the Minister—— An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: I have called No. 4 and it will be heard. Mr. E. Kenny Mr. E. Kenny Mr. E. Kenny: Before I reply to Question No. 4 I wish to offer an explanation on the matter. A Private Notice Question was put down by Deputy Andrews on the market development fund and I assumed it was being allowed, but that is not the case. An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: I know nothing about that matter. Mr. E. Kenny Mr. E. Kenny Mr. E. Kenny: I simply wished to clarify that. An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy 1287 [1287] An Ceann Comhairle: The matter is still under consideration by my office and I can make no deliberative statement on it at this stage. Mr. E. Kenny Mr. E. Kenny Mr. E. Kenny: I received notification of it from the Whip's office. An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: I am not aware of that. Dáil Éireann 452 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Transatlantic Air Services. Questions 19950510
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