Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Horkan alluded to an important point in his earlier contribution. I recognise that Dublin is the engine for the DAA. We are all wearing the green jersey. As I said at the beginning, I found Mr. Geoghegan's contribution refreshing because there is a challenge for us as the line committee but, more importantly, if you look at the PwC report on the future of aviation - Deputy O'Connor alluded to the whole issue of the east - you will see that the Chinese market has the potential to be bigger than the US market in a few years' time. I apologise for not knowing the answer to this but the aviation leasing sector is very important and I am not sure what is the DAA's role in that. Under our remit, we have to come back to aviation policy.

I was struck by Mr. Geoghegan's response to a question - I cannot remember whose it was - that the €90 million was for the airlines. I am probably paraphrasing him incorrectly but I believe he mentioned that €90 million for the airlines elsewhere as well. I hope the subdivision of that €90 million will not see everything funnelled through Dublin. I take the point regarding the hub concept, which has worked extraordinarily well for Dublin. I have been in Dublin Airport recently and I compliment Dalton Philips, the chief executive, and all of the staff. It was a pleasurable experience and I have to give credit to the DAA staff and thank them for that.

Cork Chamber of Commerce has a newsletter on economic trends. It has asked a series of questions about when people anticipate returning to flying for business and the level of air travel for business they anticipate in 2022 compared with 2019. The figures are interesting. We need to combine forces to ensure we get people back to flying safely. Connectivity is also important. In saying that, I am still struck by Mr. Geoghegan's remarks to the committee regarding the role of the Commission for Aviation Regulation, CAR, being transferred to the Irish Aviation Authority and the whole regulatory process. I cannot get out of my head what he said about a fit-for-purpose price cap. That is something I am worried about. Will airlines play football with all of us in terms of negotiating with the DAA or the airports at Dublin, Cork and Shannon?

May I be controversial? Shannon Airport is charging little or nothing for landing slots, yet a cost is being incurred. That is a debate we need to have again. Deputy Canney speaks about a level playing field, yet Mr. Geoghegan's remarks today have an import. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, for the €90 million but we should have her and the Minister, Deputy Ryan, before the committee again to discuss what Mr. Geoghegan has spoken about, the Irish Aviation Authority. The Bill is going through the Seanad and the Dáil. I do not want us to sleepwalk into anything. That is for a different debate. Today is about Mr. Geoghegan's appointment. I have full confidence in him and I support his reappointment. That is a different debate for us but I thank him for his remarks.

I will be parochial and thank Niall MacCarthy and the team in Cork Airport. They have done an extraordinary job. Mr. Geoghegan spoke about less pay and fewer hours. The staff took a great hit but they had huge pride in their airport and in themselves as entities both in Dublin and Cork. I thank them. I also thank Niall MacCarthy and Dalton Philips for their leadership in Dublin and Cork. We could spend every week here talking about aviation because it is so important. I have rambled on. I found Mr. Geoghegan brilliant today. It was a breath of fresh air for me.

I apologise but I have another last point. I believe Mr. Geoghegan issued an invitation to us to visit Dublin Airport. I hope he will expand that invitation to include Cork Airport because we should go out and visit the two airports and meet with the staff and with the board.