Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to touch on international travel. The report states it is vital that a testing regime be implemented given that 75% of our tourism is international and we depend on it. Heathrow Airport has a facility for testing on arrival. It is my understanding that other airports also provide this facility. The Government must give the go-ahead. Clearly this is with regard to when restrictions are eased and things stabilise. The witnesses have said they are hopeful this will be in the second quarter of next year. Call after call was made for robust airport testing by which we can all be assured. The entire summer has passed without this. We are now back at level 5 and realistically nothing will happen for the next six weeks. We are also looking at the Christmas period, when tens of thousands of Irish people along with visitors come home. How frustrating is it that an airport testing system has not been put in place as yet? When the restrictions lift on 1 December, regardless of what level we go to we will still have had tens of thousands of Irish people wanting to come home for Christmas. Robust testing would help alleviate the 14 day quarantine. It would also encourage other people to come to Ireland. People here would be comforted by robust testing on site and we could do away with the quarantine. In particular I am speaking about Irish people returning at Christmas.

Depending on the level, however, could we open up tourism in the new year?

Given the knock-on effects for hotels, restaurants, tourist spots, shops and the whole shooting gallery, how frustrating is it for the witnesses that this measure has not been implemented yet and there is still no definitive date? The Government might keep saying it is considering the matter, but the months are slipping by. We are close to the end of the year and there is still nothing definitive or even a commitment to or timeframe for same. What effects has this had on the sector?