Direct air links with Australia
Cullen urged pursuit of direct flights between Australia and Ireland rather than relying on connections through Europe. The Taoiseach said the Government was seeking broad access and low fares from around the world, with particular focus on mainland Europe.
——would the Taoiseach agree that the real goal to be pursued is that of direct communication between Australia and Ireland in regard to flying directly into this country from Australia and not depend — although it is a step in the right direction — on getting people to come on here from Europe? Is that part of the agenda being discussed at present? Is the Taoiseach pursuing that aim?
Comment on this
I, other Ministers and, in particular, my colleague, the Minister for Tourism and Transport, are very much in touch with the situation and are endeavouring to try to get as wide a range of access air facilities and as cheap air fares as possible to this country from every part of the world. I have to tell the Deputy that we are concentrating more on the mainland of Europe.