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

In response to Mr. Walsh's comments, it seems we have now reached a tipping point with the economic damage being done by current policies relating to aviation, whether it is mandatory hotel quarantines or the response to antigen testing versus the public health question. We have waited long enough to take action. This committee, comprising cross-party Deputies from both the Opposition and the Government, has been very vocal in its support for the aviation sector. It is now time for those at the Cabinet and those within the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, to recognise that the economic damage being done to Ireland by current policies must be seriously considered, particularly now that we are reaching such an advanced stage in the vaccination process. I thank Mr. Walsh for the responses.