Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is real concern among workers in the sector and in Aer Lingus that, notwithstanding the real and acknowledged difficulties of Covid-19 for the sector and Aer Lingus, there is an element of strategy in this regard. There has been a criticism, and we heard it clearly in this committee, that with regard to Shannon there was no engagement with staff there in the way there might have been in the past, and with regard to Cork Airport and the runway that there was, perhaps, an opportunity to continue the EWSS and not have the measures that Aer Lingus took there. We know there are structural changes in the offing, but the concern is that there will be further lay-offs and base closures. There is also great concern about the impact on the terms and conditions of workers. Can Ms Embleton give any assurance to staff or union groups who might be watching or listening to this meeting that those terms and conditions and those strategic routes will be protected and that there will not be widespread lay-offs and base closures? What assurances can she give to staff who might be concerned about the future prospects of the company?