Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the context of the whole short-haul connectivity, Ms Embleton’s statement said, “The growth in Ireland’s connectivity over the last decade has seen significant investment by airlines ... ”. By Aer Lingus’s own admission, it has reduced its short-haul fleet and it is making a business case to return business to the company. What is the company’s commitment in the national aviation policy to enhance the short-haul connectivity for Ireland. As we all know, we are an island nation on the western edge of Europe which requires aviation and, as Ms Embleton rightly said, aviation is a force for good.

I would also say that most people in Ireland do not travel transatlantic but use short-haul flights.