Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to direct some questions to Mr. Cornelis. Throughout his presentation he pointed to the need for a common and harmonised approach. Indeed, that was pointed out by the IAA. Why was it the position of the Commission to leave it to each member state to pick and choose which particular elements of the protocol were adopted in that state? That is causing the dilemmas we currently have. Mr. Cornelis made the point that the free movement of people is a critical component of the European ideal. In this case, the approach is disjointed and different member states are adopting different elements of this policy. Does Mr. Cornelis have any idea whether we can bring member states together, so that we have a global acceptance of the policy that has been put together? I would like to hear Mr. Cornelis's view on that. How far away are we from getting to the point where we have acceptance across Europe of a safe air travel policy?

Could Mr. Cornelis provide more detail on the point he made in respect of Cyprus? He mentioned that a particular policy was open to all airlines and that they could apply for funding to reopen a route that was of strategic importance to Cyprus. The same case applies here in Ireland. Shannon Airport, for example, needs critical connectivity to European hubs and to Heathrow Airport. That would be of major assistance to us here in Ireland, particularly on the west coast, and to the airport itself. I ask Mr. Cornelis to provide more detail on how much funding was made available by Cyprus to the various airlines that have opted into this scheme.

I have been in correspondence with the CEO of the IAA regarding the suspension of training positions that the IAA has operated successfully over many years at its Shannon Airport base. A decision has been made to suspend the training of these aircraft personnel. Given that this problem will pass, it is very short-sighted of the IAA to step in and suspend this particular course. The participants have put in a significant amount of work and have made many sacrifices. In light of the very meagre amount of money that will be saved in suspending the course, it is short-sighted. I would like the IAA to re-evaluate its position on this issue. I ask Mr. Cornelis to respond to the questions I put to him.