Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The committee should take up the issue of reduced connectivity following Mr. Walsh's presentation today.

I concur with Mr. Walsh on the vaccination bonus. It is meant to be that; a passport to travel safely. I should have put on the record at the beginning of the meeting that I received a briefing from Mr. Peter O'Broin and Mr. Simon McNamara of IATA. I compliment Mr. Walsh on the IATA travel pass video. I have put it into the chat group and it is something the committee should also explore. I should have said that at the beginning. I apologise for that.

I am concerned over the air bridge for both Europe and transatlantic services in the context of Aer Lingus particularly. Mr. Walsh smiled at the deal he got with the sale of Aer Lingus. I believe Senator Craughwell was one of the only ones who opposed the sale of Aer Lingus along with the former Senator, Seán Barrett. Many of us were concerned about the Heathrow slots. Does Mr. Walsh think that Aer Lingus will hold firm to its connectivity for Ireland and the importance of Aer Lingus to Ireland? Where does that stand now?