James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On the question of engagement, Mr. Walsh indicates he has not been able to speak with the Government yet in his role. I have made the point about stakeholder engagement repeatedly to the Minister for Transport and the Minister of State with responsibility for aviation. As a Government Deputy, I make it categorically clear that this must happen and people like Mr. Walsh must be listened to when it comes to the decision-making process around reopening. Is the Republic of Ireland, as an island nation on the western periphery of Europe, on a similar trajectory to our European neighbours with the reopening of aviation?