Mr. Fintan Towey:

When it became known that new requirements would be introduced in response to the threat of the Omicron variant and that there would be a requirement for additional testing, we engaged with the carriers to forewarn them about the new requirements. When one uses the word "agreement", it is important to say that the decision was made by the Government that it was necessary to introduce additional safeguards and we engaged with the carriers about how those might operate and the obligations the carriers would have in terms of checking those tests with departing passengers. Ultimately, the requirements are set out in regulations made by the Minister for Health. Those requirements set down obligations over passengers in the first instance to be in compliance with the requirements. They also require that the carriers deny boarding where the traveller does not have the necessary tests except for limited circumstances in which an exemption applies. We crystallised those requirements to the carriers at the earliest possible opportunity.