Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I applaud the Minister of State, lest she think I am being critical of the role she played in ensuring that funding was given to Cork, Waterford, Knock and Shannon, for example. I thank her for that. Dalton Philips said today that the airports were losing €1 million a day. My point is that the Government, like the Government before it, is all about regional development and the regions. If, however, in the context of aviation, everything centres on Dublin, we are really at nothing. That is why I am concerned. I hope and I ask the Minister of State - Chairman, you might take up this point again later - that our committee is involved as part of the review of the national aviation policy. I am not sure how the Minister of State will do this or what her proposal in respect of that review is, but it is critical not only that airlines are sat down with and spoken to about their plans and the need for that regional connectivity, as the Minister of State said, but also that we look at the tourism bodies and how they interact in respect of promotion of the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East or whatever else. It is critical that the future of our airports and our aviation sector not be just about Dublin Airport. I know that that is not the Minister of State's aim, but it needs to be said to the airlines as part of the review.

Finally, I thank the Minister of State for being here and for her engagement, in particular on An Post, which has been very positive. I thank her for her work and wish her well in her endeavours.