Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I echo everybody else's welcome to the guests here today and thank them for their submissions and information, which were very informative. My questions may touch on issues raised previously. I will start with the recent announcement by Aer Lingus and the closure of its cabin crew base. In light of the fact that there has been no commitment to resume the vital Heathrow route, could the witnesses comment on the direct and indirect knock-on effects on tourism and hospitality business owners in the region they have seen or that have been relayed to them? No conclusions have been drawn on the back of numerous reviews and reports and task force recommendations have not been implemented by the Department of Transport. Therefore, very little action has been taken. How has this affected confidence in the region? This is something with which I am particularly concerned.

What does Shannon Chamber anticipate with regard to the strategic review of Lufthansa and will this result in its closure? Do the witnesses think that Shannon Group should intervene to prevent further decline in the aviation industry base at Shannon? Do the witnesses anticipate a decrease in foreign direct investment in Shannon if connectivity continues at its current rate? To date, has the Government committed to or considered a capital investment scheme such as the witnesses' proposal of the TRSS? Has the Government engaged with Shannon Chamber and taken on board the measures outlined in detail in the presentation to the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, several months ago?

I will touch on something mentioned in the witnesses' responses. They spoke about Spain being an example of best practice or a country that has modelled their TRS scheme. In light of this, can the witnesses give us an example of what Spain has provided for regional airports akin to Shannon?