James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I offer sincere congratulations to Mr. Seán Doyle on his appointment as head of British Airways. He is working with Aer Lingus's parent group AIG at the moment and is a very proud son of Youghal. I wish the new acting CEO the best of luck.

Mr. Wilson is probably aware that I gave a significant presentation at Cork Airport when he visited us about my concerns. A reference we have heard a lot today from the representatives of the aviation sector is the toxicity around flying and people's attitude to it, particularly around short haul flights. I am incredibly concerned about the attitude people have towards aviation because 120,000 jobs were fully supported by this industry prior to the onset of Covid-19. The witnesses have said a great deal about demand and that is obviously king when it comes to providing flights out of Cork Airport, which is absolutely critical to the entire province of Munster. Shannon Airport is very important as well.

I am very concerned to hear some of the statements made by Mr. Wilson regarding engagement by senior representatives from Government. The representatives of the Government parties will feed that back. It is not good enough because if what he is saying is true, it has cost jobs and flights out of Cork Airport, which I am incredibly concerned about. I am also very concerned to hear that Aer Lingus will reduce its Cork to Heathrow capacity, which is the major link Cork has to airports internationally. We are fighting hard to hold on to the flights we have left and it is important that the public understands just how serious this is.

My first question is for Aer Lingus. When do Mr. Moriarty and Mr. Moody foresee some degree of normality returning to its transatlantic passenger traffic? It is important. There is a very problematic geopolitical situation there now but when do they see normality coming back to transatlantic travel, which is important to tourism in Ireland.