The Minister mentioned attracting back-track traffic from Europe as one of the targets but what is his view in that the airlines, and Ryanair in particular, have not got agreement for the lower air fares from the other European countries? As I understand it, they are not getting any co-operation for the new low fares out of Europe. What is the current position? Are Europe ganging up on us?

I can give full details to the Deputy for the various countries. But I assure him that after long and arduous work by the people in my Department an agreement allowing Ryanair to fly directly from Germany to here at very competitive prices has been reached and Ryanair will shortly be starting those flights. I am picking that as a specific example but I can let the Deputy have the whole range of new arrangements by letter if he so wishes.

When will that come into effect?

Through my pushing them, I think Ryanair will be starting earlier than they had originally intended. They will certainly start this summer and hopefully within the next month.