New air-transport deal between Ireland and Canada

The Minister for Transport Martin Cullen has announced a new Irish Canada Air Transport Agreement, which will maximise access connections with key business and tourism markets there.

Air Canada currently operates a summer service between Toronto and Shannon and Dublin however the new agreement will provide for services between any point in Ireland and any point in Canada.

Minister Cullen said that from a tourism perspective it is important to encourage Canadians to come to Ireland.

Despite a substantial Irish community, less than 100,000 Canadians visit Ireland a year.

That compares to over 800,000 from the UK.

The agreement is to take effect immediately on a provisional basis.