asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he has taken or proposes to take any new initiatives to ensure that the upward trend of recent years in the volume of air traffic at Shannon Airport is maintained.

I am concerned to ensure that every effort is made to maintain and increase the volume of terminal and transit traffic at Shannon Airport. Aer Rianta, who manage the airport on my behalf, Aer Lingus, Aerlínte and the Shannon Free Airport Development Company are continuing their work of promoting traffic to and through the airport with the utmost vigour. In addition Bord Fáilte are intensifying their efforts to attract increased tourism to Ireland much of which would be through Shannon.

The scheduled services to the airport will be increased next year but details of the expanded services have not yet been finalised. A further increase in charter services is also expected. In order to reap maximum benefit from these developments. Bord Fáilte and Aerlínte have, with my encouragement, agreed on a concerted approach to the promotion of traffic. I have also approved the introduction of special fares, that is, the Super-Apex fares, to boost off-season transatlantic traffic and I have encouraged Aerlínte to develop similar incentive fares for the 1978 season.

While appreciating the Minister's factual reply, I hope the Minister will allay our concern by assuring us that, in the preparation of the Estimate for his Department, he will ensure that Aer Rianta and the other State bodies concerned, who have been so successful in recent years in promoting a tremendous increase in the volume of traffic into Shannon, will have the necessary money to continue this promotion by sending missions abroad and so forth.

I am concerned to see that they operate effectively.

22.

asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if any changes in the restaurant and catering facilities at Shannon Airport are contemplated; and, if so, why.

Aer Rianta are at present carrying out a general review of catering facilities at Shannon in consultation with the staff. This review is necessary in order to adjust the present services to the changing patterns of public demand, and to improve the deteriorating financial position of the catering service at the airport.

While I appreciate that the Minister must take cognisance of the financial aspects, nevertheless, I would ask him to bear in mind the fact that this is just one component of the overall operations at Shannon, but it is a very vital, necessary and important component. Will he ensure that no hasty decision is taken which might save pennies and lose pounds in future?

I am sure Aer Rianta are taking full cognisance of the points made by the Deputy.

23.

asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the steps he has taken or proposes to take to encourage more foreign airlines to carry out crew training at Shannon Airport with special reference to training of crews for Concorde.

The suitability of Shannon Airport for crew training is well known throughout the aviation world and Aer Rianta are unremitting in their efforts to attract foreign airlines to have their crew training carried out there. I understand from Aer Rianta that agreement has recently been reached with Air France for a programme of Concorde training to be carried out at Shannon early next year.

Could the Minister say whether any recent approaches have been made to British Airways with a view to their renewing their former major training schedules at Shannon?

We are very anxious that they would.