Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. Regarding aviation overall, there is a need for a number of interventions. It is going to be one of the last sectors to experience a post-Covid recovery. A number of interventions have been made. Fianna Fáil was very respectful of the coalition of parties in government but there is also delineation between parties. We put forward a submission paper with some policy suggestions for the Minister, with respect to his Ministry, which I hope can be considered. They include multi-annual capital expenditure on airports. It was very good to see the baggage hold facilities in Shannon upgraded. Another suggestion was a subvention on a per-passenger basis in the coming years, to the point of recovery.

Other colleagues have, and will, mention the need for regional connectivity. I met recently with the Saudi Arabian ambassador, where we discussed the potential of hub connectivity from Shannon into Riyadh. What plans, if any, does the Minister have for the airport and aviation overall in terms of how they will be supported in the upcoming budget and over the recovery period, which will take some time?