Consideration was given to a memorandum dated 27th January, 1947, submitted by the Minister for Industry and Commerce, relative to suggested discussions with the United States Government regarding the Bilateral Air Transport Agreement between the Irish and United States Governments.¹ The following decisions were taken:

1.  that the provision in the Agreement requiring United States Aircraft engaged in transatlantic flights to land at Shannon Airport should not be abandoned unless and until it becomes clear to the Government that its retention is no longer practicable;
2.  that there should be no change in the existing policy of the Government regarding Dublin Airport and that the United States airlines on transatlantic flights should not be granted full rights to land at Dublin or at Shannon at their choice;
3.  that, if the United States Government so desire, the Bilateral Agreement should be modified to embody in it certain limitations on Fifth Freedom traffic included in the Air Transport Agreement between the United States and Britain signed at Bermuda on the 11th February, 1946;

   and

4.   that a written reply should be sent to the United States Government to the effect that the Irish Government expect the United States Government to designate specific airports for the Irish transatlantic service as an obligation imposed upon them by the terms of Annex B of the Bilateral Agreement and that the Irish Government feel that this designation should be done before any discussions take place. When specific airports have been designated by the United States Government under the Bilateral Agreement, it was agreed that the Minister for Industry and Commerce should open discussions with that Government on the other points raised.