Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday or the day before, the UK ceased aviation activity between Spain and itself. That cessation has been now expanded to include the Canary Islands and other islands. The Government in the UK had to act in that way, as does our Government. It is not that we want to do this but that we believe we have no choice. The problem is that travel increases risk. The more one travels, the more likely one is to be exposed to people who may have the virus. If the pandemic is accelerating in the northern hemisphere and worldwide, the Government is duty-bound to protect public health. I acknowledge the issues the representatives have raised with regard to jobs, employment and economic stability but I reject utterly Aer Lingus's statement that the Government does not understand the scale or significance of the crisis. If it wants us to accept its views as reasonable, it cannot expect comments such as these to be given any credibility when put before us as fact. It is obviously untrue.