Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It will be up to the Shannon Group to put forward an application to the Department on those capital projects, as will Cork Airport. That would then be assessed by the Department. I am aware of the concerns of Deputy Carey and his colleagues on Shannon Airport, but I can assure him that we acknowledge the importance of connectivity for the mid-west and the need to support the airport, the workers in the region and the Shannon Group in its entirety. Covid-19 means aviation is in an evolving crisis.

Our decision at Cabinet around testing and trying to open up connectivity in a safe way while adhering to all the health protocols will help the likes of Shannon Airport also. The number one ask from the aviation industry when it met the Minister, Deputy Ryan, me and our officials, was to open up that connectivity. We have to be cognisant that most of Europe is now red zone countries. Now is a good time, however, to start planning and preparing for that preflight testing regime. I know the Deputy's question was on capital funding, but part of the concern is about attracting tourism when we do rebound, along with foreign direct investment for the Shannon area and for the mid-west. A number of different supports will be needed.