Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Cathal Crowe as ucht an shuíocháin le haghaidh an chruinnithe. Cuirim fáilte roimh ionadaithe na trí aerfort. Is aerfoirt réigiúnacha iad, ach is aerfoirt i gcontaetha ina bhfuil Gaeltachtaí ann iad freisin. Tá sé sin tábhachtach. I particularly welcome Mr. Gilmore, with whom I have worked closely in recent weeks.

My first point applies to all three airports. With regard to the announcement yesterday, what do the representatives know about the state aid condition? It seems unusual. I understand that many state aid conditions have been suspended for Covid-related funding, which may be an issue to be considered in the report. Given that state aid rules do not seem to apply to the state-owned airports, why do they apply to regional airports? Do the witnesses have any information in that regard?

Has there been much engagement with the regional airports in respect of how the traffic light system is going to work? I ask Mr. Gilmore about that in particular, although I know Donegal Airport also has a particular dependence on the UK market. Mr. Gilmore's point about region-to-region transport is important. Regional air corridors may be a matter to include in the final report. When does Mr. Gilmore see these coming into effect or operation? When will he be able to inform passengers as to what they will be able to do over the forthcoming Christmas period.

On the regional airport programme, aviation will be very difficult and very different post Covid. Do the witnesses believe the regional airport programme as it currently stands is fit for purpose in a post-Covid environment? Do we need to inject more flexibility into it and make it a bit more responsive to the current changeable situation?