Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Before we move on to the second round, I want to raise the issue of Shannon Airport. The announcement yesterday was catastrophic for the reason. The regional balance we talk about will be in tatters if Shannon is not protected. The Tánaiste said that the Minister is meeting with Aer Lingus today. There needs to be a better Government intervention. The Tánaiste said that there was a problem in the regional airports before the pandemic. I understand that 87% of flights were going from Dublin Airport before the pandemic. We all understand where we are with the pandemic but we need a plan when we come out of the pandemic for the regional airports. The Shannon-Heathrow route is crucial for families who live in the mid-west with family abroad and it is also crucial for the foreign direct investment companies that we were lucky enough to attract to the Limerick, Shannon and mid-west region. This cannot just be left to one Minister. I am concerned about the Minister with responsibility for aviation policy. Is his plan not to intervene? I ask the Tánaiste and Taoiseach to personally intervene in this. I cannot emphasise how important that is, especially the Aer Lingus Shannon to Heathrow route.