asked the Minister for Transport if it has been the practice recently to offer foreign IATA airlines funds in return for not operating services to this country.

No. There is no such practice as described by the Deputy.

Can the Minister say that the reports that Aer Lingus offered Sabena Airlines £20,000 to stay off the Brussels to Dublin route are not correct, and that the reports that Aer Lingus offered Lufthansa £20,000 to stay off the Dublin to Brussels route are not correct?

I am not aware of any such agreement between the airlines. The Deputy may misunderstand the inter-airline commercial agreements which exist between Aer Lingus and other operators. Perhaps that is where the misunderstanding arises.

The Minister is not aware of any such financial offer?

Would the Deputy like to specify what he means?

What I said. There have been reports that a financial offer was made to Sabena Airlines and Lufthansa to stay off the Dublin to Brussels route.

I am not aware of any such arrangement. If the Deputy has any information in that regard I would be grateful for it.

I presume the Minister would be the first to know.

If such information or such reports are brought to the Minister's notice, will he investigate them and report back to the House?

I would be delighted to do that. If such information is available to any Deputy I would be glad to have it.