John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the delegates on the progress made in the past five years. The separation of Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority has been a success and the presentation indicates the progress that has been made. I will focus on the challenges mentioned by Ms Hynes resulting from a downturn caused by Norwegian Air operations.

What figures does Ms Hynes project for passenger numbers in 2019? How much lower is it than the figures for 2018 or 2017? Does she think Shannon can work through this? What assistance or help is needed to work through this? As Mr. Cawley said in his presentation, tourism is extremely important in the regions. Will Ms Hynes illustrate the numbers, how much they will go down by, if it can be worked through and the solution to continue to grow the numbers in Shannon?

I welcome Mr. Cawley back. He does not want to claim the credit for all of the increase in tourist numbers but he obviously did not hinder it either, so I offer my compliments on that. To focus on the challenges, Mr. Cawley mentioned the importance of the regions and of the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East and Ireland's Hidden Heartlands. All of that is helping because it is crucial to diversify tourism. In many ways, there is a connection between the airports and tourism. As somebody from the west of Ireland, I note Ireland West Airport Knock is very important in bringing tourists to the region. The witnesses mentioned day trips to the Cliffs of Moher. I was living proof of that last week. I could hardly get a hotel room in Dublin because the city was packed out with conferences all week, which is great. We have just got through the first year of VAT on tourism having gone back up from 9% to 13.5%. What effect do the witnesses think that has had? The accommodation prices in major urban centres have increased again. As the witnesses say, tourism is the biggest employer in Ireland and it would be a pity if we killed the goose that laid the golden egg. Will the witnesses expand on the ability to spread tourism to the regions? There has been significant success with the Wild Atlantic Way and so on. Companies are seeing a better lifestyle in the regions too, so it is not just affecting tourism. Connectivity is important.

I welcome Mr. Whelan back. Much progress has been made in the Port of Waterford and Mr. Whelan has mentioned good news. As I come from the west of Ireland, I am interested in the issue of freight transport. Freight transport from Coca-Cola in the west ceased in 2018. I know that has been an issue. What is the up-to-date position on that? We are now onto the question of climate change and emissions. My understanding is that freight transport from the west of Ireland had to come to Dublin and then go to Waterford. Was that the issue? I know the western rail corridor and the possibility of direct freight transport is of interest with regard to both climate change and efficiency. Mr. Whelan might provide an update on that. Mr. Whelan made a point about the Port of Waterford being able to accommodate new arrangements depending on how Brexit pans out. Will he expand on the potential for the port? The European Commissioner for transport was here a number of years ago and suggested that the trans-European transport network, TEN-T, support and strategy was not to be revisited until 2023. I believe there has been a change in that regard. Will changes to connectivity affect the port?

I thank the witnesses and wish them the best of luck in their new appointments. There are many challenges but they have shown over the past five years that there are opportunities too. Well done to them for facing up to the challenges.