Gerald Nash (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Toland and Mr. Flynn for their very comprehensive contributions. I thank Mr. Toland, in particular, for the work he has done with the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, in recent years. It is common knowledge that he is moving on from that role and it is no exaggeration to say the DAA, Mr. Toland, with the leadership he provided, and his staff have played a central role in the recovery of the economy.

The open skies policy has been enormously beneficial to Ireland in terms of jobs in this country and the development of our export industries. Destinations are now open to Irish people that were not open to us just a few short years ago. Britain's involvement in the open skies policy and associated regulations will lapse when Brexit becomes a reality two years from now. I would like to tease out with Mr. Toland what might happen if there is no replacement agreement that mimics the best elements of open skies and all that flows from that. If there is no replacement, clearly we will be facing a cliff edge that could have catastrophic consequences for Irish jobs, access to Ireland and connectivity. We are obviously hugely dependent on the UK in terms of inbound visitors but also for air traffic more generally. Mr. Toland's submission refers to the fact our traffic dependency on the UK stands at almost 40%, which is enormous. We have teased that out with other contributors at previous meetings of this committee. Realistically, what does Mr. Toland think the prospects are of an arrangement that would mimic the arrangement we enjoy at the moment, notwithstanding the restrictions that will necessarily be in place? We could be facing a cliff edge that could be very damaging for Irish jobs and businesses.