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

That is one of the options at which we have been looking. As I have said, this whole area keeps changing. The application of such an approach will depend, to a certain extent, on European rules on state aid. We are looking at that. We are also looking at whether operating expenditure arrangements in airports could be supported and whether further capital supports could be provided. We are also looking at whether, in supporting airports, they could in turn support and help the airlines that use them. The Government has not made a final decision in that regard. We are looking at all options. I will not rule out any. We will work with the airlines and airports to achieve the best balance we can.

In my discussions with the airlines, what they have sought more than anything else is a public understanding that they have good safety protocols in place, which they do. We also have the sort of mechanisms I have discussed here, so provision will still be made for essential workers and people who have to travel in a safe way and while minimising risk. That is the best way to retain services. At the moment, in the midst of level 5 restrictions and at the height of the second wave in Europe, the numbers are right down, as I have said. I very much take on board what Dr. Holohan and others said yesterday, which is that we will have to be careful as we come out of level 5 restrictions if contagion levels are still high in other countries. We also have to start planning for the short to medium term, in which there will a return to some sort of normality and flying will be allowed because we need that connectivity. In my discussions with the airlines, more than anything else, this is what they see as critical for the retention of services and the planning of future services. That is why it is important to get the other elements right.