Mr. Paul Hackett:

Our concern is that we are aware that this currently sits with the Department of Health, which has a lot on its plate. There will be technical requirements in order to put this digital certificate in place for all EU countries within the envisaged timeframe. Without casting aspersions on the ability of the Department, our concern rests with the fact that this is another job it has to do. Could that lead to an inadvertent delay? On the requirement relating to the technical piece, where is the Government up to in that regard? This is the clearest, most straightforward proposal in terms of fully vaccinated people, those who have recovered from Covid or individuals who have had PCR testing. It is a clear path that makes harmonisation and simplicity of travel within the EU straightforward and something that is possible for the aviation and airline sectors and the travel industry to adopt. It needs to happen and we need to know when it will happen. When it happens, confidence will follow. Consumers have heard about it but they are hearing mixed messages and they are not sure when it will come into effect. We also have all our advice against international travel, so that has to be wound down to coincide with the digital certificates. We are on a pathway. This is a very different year to 2020 in terms of the vaccination roll-out being in place across Europe.