asked the Minister for Transport if a report that he has required an airline (details supplied) to charge the IATA cartel fare between Shannon and Amsterdam is correct, although the airline is not a member of the cartel, and if he considers the higher fare promotes the development of Shannon Airport.

Transamerica Airlines filed a current fare of £179 return for the Shannon/Amsterdam route. This is the fare that I have approved. The IATA corresponding current fare for the route is £209 return.

Is it true that the airline in question, Transamerica, were prepared to charge a lesser fare but were not allowed to do so?

The fare they have filed with me is £179 and that is the fare I have approved. The question asked by the Deputy was if I had instructed Transamerica to charge the IATA fare for the Shannon/Amsterdam route. The fare I approved was lower than the IATA fare and that is the fare they filed with me.

Was there a request from Transamerica to charge a lower fare than £179?

I do not know why they would ask for a lower fare than £179 because that is the fare they filed and that is the one I approved.

Is the Minister sure there was not a request for a lower fare? My information is that there was.

That is the fare they filed. I am surprised they did not seek a lower fare if they wanted one.

Fair enough. I will come back to the Minister again.

23.