Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for attending. As they know, we are working on aviation policy. We want to hear their views on how our committee can influence that policy and get the best out of the strategic assets that are their airports. We have visited Shannon, Cork and Dublin and we hope to visit the other airports as well. We have had hearings with Ryanair, Aer Lingus and the DAA, so it is important that the witnesses are present today.

I thank them for their presentations. It was uplifting – pardon the pun – to hear about the positivity as well as the recovery that had been made. There has been a recovery of nearly 90% to 100% of Covid's tragic figures. I recall walking into Shannon Airport with its lights were off and nothing happening. It was pure devastation. The recovery is great to see. There used to be a slogan: "Keep the recovery going". That is what we want to do.

It is key that we amend aviation policy. Each of the witnesses mentioned the RAP. Until recently, Shannon did not qualify, nor did Cork. A number of the witnesses mentioned that the current policy was not in line with European policy. In other European jurisdictions, an airport can have up to 3 million passengers without being in violation of state aid rules. The committee will make the key recommendation to the Government that aviation policy be amended to allow airports with passenger numbers of up to 3 million to be included in the regional airports programme. Would Ms Considine agree with such a recommendation? Would it be progressive? Will she set out her vision for Shannon Airport over the next five, ten and 20 years in terms of passenger numbers, growth and cargo? She also mentioned the exciting area of SAFs. What would that mean for the airport's future?