Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Deputy O'Connor raised a very good point regarding the antigen testing. I understand that Marseille airport is considering introducing it and it could be introduced in Charles de Gaulle Airport for non-internal flights as well. Some countries' airports might move ahead of everywhere else and things might get a little confused. I am taking the positives from the Minister's statement today in that we appear to be moving towards some form of testing regime, with all the caveats we have discussed. That is a positive message that should emerge from this committee and from what the Minister said. It would provide some light at the end of the tunnel for getting the aviation industry back on its feet.

However, I wish to speak on the DAA, and it is not to be parochial about it. Dalton Philips appeared before the committee and he said he had an off-the-shelf system that the DAA had worked out that was almost ready to go. Has the Minister discussed this with the DAA? I am not referring to the testing and which test is used, but the practical parts of introducing this at the airport. Planning permission will have to be sought and staff would have to be either hired or redeployed. Has the Minister discussed this with Dalton Philips in terms of allowing the DAA to begin preliminary work on that, given that the Minister said that we cannot waste this level 5 period and must make use of the time as best we can?