Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Senator. None of us knows how this virus will progress or the effect it will have on the wider economy and on international travel. I do, however, know for certain that Shannon Airport is of critical importance for the people working in the industry. Moreover, surrounding industries, nearby industrial estates, the wider Limerick region and, indeed, the region as a whole depend on and benefit from international connectivity. The tourism industry is exactly the kind of employer we want. The industry is rich in jobs right across the country and particularly in rural Ireland. From the experience of my own working life, I know that Shannon Airport is very important for the tourism industry in the west, south west and mid-west. That is why it is critical that we retain our capability and connectivity as a country with regard to international connections.

We introduced further interim measures in the budget. Shannon Airport was in receipt of funding earlier in the year and has been in receipt of ongoing funding through the employment wage subsidy scheme and other supports but we provided additional capital funding in the budget and signalled that, in all likelihood, we would have to provide additional supports. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, said that the Covid fund which was, in a sense, held back in the budget to allow for the provision of any additional supports that may be required as a result of the pandemic-----