Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming before the committee. I also want to ask about the appointment of a chairperson for the board of Shannon Group. It is a key appointment for the mid-west region because Shannon is the engine of growth for our region. I welcome the Minister's comments that he has listened to Oireachtas Members. I, as chairperson of the Shannon Oireachtas group, wrote to the Minister and asked him to step back and consult. He offered, through his offices, a meeting with our group. I know that he is under pressure and our original meeting had to be postponed but I would like it to be rescheduled fairly soon. I have also written to the Minister about a number of chambers of commerce in the region that want to engage. It is important that we get the right person in the job, someone who understands aviation, tourism, business and, most important, the region. The chairperson must be able to engage with stakeholders. I think there is a vacuum between the airport and the region that needs to be filled. We need the proper person in that role.

I welcome the fact that the Minister and the Government have backed a €150 million loan to Aer Lingus. I know that the Minister is currently in talks with Aer Lingus and I encourage him to conclude them. I would like to impress on the Minister the need to stitch in connectivity as part of the talks. If the State is doing a deal with Aer Lingus, it must be on the basis that there is connectivity for Shannon that includes key routes such as those to London Heathrow, New York and Boston. Those routes are critical. The Minister must also insist that the workforce and base in Shannon are protected.

My colleague earlier raised the issue of the post office in Broadford, County Clare. Will the Minister state whether he supports a public service obligation for the An Post network, particularly for post offices that have been lost during the Covid-19 pandemic? The service would be protected with funding of €17 million annually. The closure of some bank services presents an opportunity to offer more services through the postal network.