Mr. Matt Staunton:

I am accompanied by Ms Ashley Connelly. As deputy secretary general, I speak on behalf of thousands of aviation workers who work in airlines, the Irish Aviation Authority, airports and other providers.

The aviation industry was the first to feel the impact of the arrival of Covid-19 in Ireland. When restrictions on movement were first introduced in March nobody quite foresaw the sustained effect the pandemic would have on the industry. A short, sharp shock was considered a best case scenario. However, eight months on commercial air traffic activity continues to operate well below 20% of capacity.

Irish aviation was one of the first industries to recover from the 2008 economic crisis. If we take, as a guide, the numbers travelling through Dublin Airport, it took seven years to recover from the impact of that crisis. Today, there is a very real possibility that aviation will be one of the last industries to emerge from the current crisis. Irish aviation is at risk of being left behind as the rest of the world moves on. This has very serious implications for the national economy and 140,000 quality jobs supported by aviation in airports, regulatory bodies, international air traffic support and airline operators as well as the industries, and local economies, that rely directly on the industry. That is not to mention the 330,000 jobs in the hospitality sector that the aviation industry feeds.

Ireland is a major force in worldwide aviation. We have a higher citizen aviation travel rate than any other EU member state while our connectivity to the rest of the world plays a crucial role in attracting inward investment. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has acknowledged that the Irish aviation sector has experienced a larger decline than anywhere else in Europe. It is, therefore, crucial that we act collectively to ensure that the industry not only survives the impact of this current crisis but is in a fit state to perform robustly as safe international travel resumes, and guard against the offshoring of work currently delivered by Irish workers.

Ireland's long overdue decision to integrate into the EU traffic light system for international travel this week marks a first step in terms of preparedness. The State's significant financial support, which has allowed aviation employers to retain staff on payroll, has also been crucial to safeguarding the industry's state of readiness for recovery. These are important measures. I would love to be able to say that they are enough but the importance of the aviation industry, to Ireland's economy, demands that a great deal more intervention is necessary.

While we wait, with a bit more optimism this week, on the arrival of an effective vaccine the commencement of pre-departure Covid testing for passengers flying out of Irish airports is a welcome development. However, with a cost per passenger starting at €149 per test, this may inhibit any real progress. In the meantime aviation workers face the prospect of prolonged reductions to working hours and pay, increased risk of temporary lay offs and an uncertain future while struggling to pay rent, mortgages and other bills.

Fórsa's mission since the pandemic struck has been to work closely with all aviation employers to maximise job protection, members' pay and members' conditions. Success in this mission is only possible through significant and continuing Government support and intervention.

The situation for aviation is getting worse not better during this latest phase of tackling the pandemic. We are all stakeholders in this industry and cannot afford not to act. We are here today to deliver the message that the Government must create all the supports necessary to ensure Ireland's aviation industry can withstand the current crisis and continue to play its crucial role in supporting the Irish economy. However, any State support to the industry must be conditional so no compulsory redundancies or offshoring of services, or permanent attacking of conditions. We fully agree with our colleagues from Connect Trade Union and SIPTU that Shannon Airport should be reintegrated with the DAA.