Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Notwithstanding the fact that the IAA is a financially independent commercial semi-State body, we might have been forgiven for thinking that, since it is also a safety regulator, there would be some circumspection in its submission. There is none, however. The submission is refreshingly blunt on the need for an airport testing regime.

When appearing before the Covid committee several weeks ago, NPHET poured cold water over the idea of airport testing, be it pre-departure or on arrival, and stated that it was not effective in reducing risk. Essentially, NPHET stated that it was not safe. The IAA is a safety regulator. In preparing its position over the past few weeks, did it have any cognisance of the potential impact on its reputation of being at loggerheads with NPHET's public health advice, which the Government is taking? Did that factor into the IAA's thinking at all or is it confident in the need for testing at airports?