Mr. Joe Gilmore:

The Senator is correct. It is worth noting that the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, confirmed €21.3 million for regional airports in the budget for 2021. That would be year 1 of the next regional airports programme, if I am correct about timing. There is a serious commitment to confirm a further five years of the next regional airports programme, although I do not think it has been officially signed off.

On state aid, our side was in communication with the Department yesterday. It is very open, as mentioned earlier. The dialogue with it is very positive. However, we need further clarity on State aid. We are hopeful that a derogation could be sought on that where moneys could be put into airports on that basis due to the Covid crisis.