asked the Minister for Transport if it is proposed to send an Irish delegation to the IATA conference at Montreal; and, if so, the composition of the delegation.

Meetings of the International Transport Association — an inter-airline organisation — are attended by representatives of airlines. I understand that Aer Lingus, as a member of the association, were represented at the annual general meeting of IATA in Montreal which was held in October.

I should like to know why representatives from the Department were not present at the meeting.

Government delegations do not attend those meetings.

Is it confined to representatives of the national airlines?

The meeting in Montreal was purely administrative and did not have any tariff-making function.

It was not a fare-fixing meeting?

No.

Deputy Deasy's question asks why Department officials were not represented at that meeting. He did not refer to Government representation. Can the Minister say why Department officials were not represented?

It is not normal for Departments of State to be represented at any of those meetings. It is an inter-airline association and Aer Lingus were represented by the chief executive officer and chief operations manager.

14.

asked the Minister for Transport the amount of the Irish subvention to IATA in 1980; and the basis of the calculation for this contribution.

The International Air Transport Association — IATA — is a non-Governmental body whose membership is confined to airlines. The Irish Government do not therefore pay any subvention to the association but Aer Lingus, who are longstanding members, pay an annual membership fee. The amount of such fee is a matter between the air company and IATA.

Is the Minister in a position to say what the fee is?

I would rather not. I do not have the information but I am aware that it is based on mileage and depends on the size of the airline.

Will the Minister make the information available to me?

I do not believe I am in a position to do so. It is a matter between the airline and IATA.