Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My next question is on aviation. The Minister is probably aware that Shannon Airport has no European hub connectivity. It does have flights to Heathrow. Aer Lingus was supposed to go ahead with a route from Shannon to Paris Charles de Gaulle in March 2020. Covid intervened and we have also had Brexit. Because of Brexit, Shannon Airport is exposed because we do not have direct hub connectivity with Europe. The Minister is aware of the Brexit adjustment reserve fund. It is for dealing with the impacts of Brexit. Is the Department willing to consider Shannon Airport making a case that the Department would apply under the Brexit adjustment reserve fund in Europe for funding under a public service order for a route to be established to a hub such as Amsterdam? There would not be a cost to the Exchequer. It would be a cost to the Brexit adjustment fund.

Ireland has been allocated €920 million overall. It is the largest single contribution. This funding is available for Departments and the Government to make an application. I understand any application would have to come from the relevant Department. I am trying to find something that would not be a charge directly on the Irish Exchequer. This would come from a fund that is there.

Shannon Airport has been heavily impacted by Brexit. We are the only Irish international airport that does not have direct European hub connectivity.