Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses and thank them for their concise and frank contributions. They mentioned that Aer Lingus was critical of the fact that NPHET has not embraced the use of antigen testing. Has Aer Lingus had any contact from NPHET or the Department of Transport regarding the use of antigen testing? Is Aer Lingus willing to conduct a pilot antigen testing programme? Has it had any discussions with regard to that?

Has Aer Lingus made any progress in that regard?

In the opening statement provided, there is reference to being "open for business" and "family friendly". These are two very important messages for visitors to Ireland. From reading the opening statement, it becomes very clear that failure by Ireland to provide data to the US State Department meant that we lost an opportunity on 8 June to move from level 4 to level 3. This means that the status of Ireland that was conveyed to the American public was "do not travel". This is obviously an own goal, arising from our own incompetence here in Ireland. The opening statement goes on to state, "Similarly, the most recent traffic light system map published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control indicates that ‘no data’ is available for Ireland." Those two statements are shocking. It is disgraceful and totally unacceptable that our status regarding Covid control is misrepresented in a crucial market such as the US and across Europe. We must take up this issue with NPHET. It is simply not acceptable that an organisation representing the people of Ireland is so far behind in relation to data and advice. NPHET is expert in everything else. It is on radio and in the media every other day. It pops up here and pops up there. It gets huge coverage and yet it is not managing the business properly. There is too much at stake here with the updating of that information in order that people have a proper view of how well Covid is controlled and how welcome people are to Ireland.

We have continually heard Ministers say that the Government is committed to balanced regional development. If there was ever a case for balanced regional development it is around Shannon Airport. Shannon Airport is critical to the development of the mid-west region. Aer Lingus' active presence at Shannon Airport is absolutely crucial to its future. The witnesses have referred to it already. What measures could and should be put in place by Government to support Aer Lingus and Shannon Airport?