Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Good morning, Cathaoirleach. I apologise as I must leave at 10 a.m. to attend the Seanad. First, I welcome our witnesses and I thank Ms Embleton for her presentation. The Cathaoirleach is correct in that her presentation was short, concise and therein lies the first question. Nowhere in Ms Embleton’s presentation this morning to us, or in her written presentation, has she discussed the issue beyond the soundbite of connectivity. She is 100% correct in that we are an island nation, that a connected country leads to better investment in jobs, and that the breadth of connectivity is important. Ms Embleton has not answered or addressed under the aviation policy any of her ideas or thoughts about, for example, Cork Airport or Shannon Airport. She mentioned "the airport" in her presentation to us so I ask, in the context of the future and national aviation policy, does Aer Lingus plan to increase its fleet or to keep it as small as it is now?