Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On driver tests, as I said earlier in reply to Deputy O'Rourke, a business case is being finalised regarding significantly increasing driver test capacity. I want to ensure that it is not a marginal change and that whatever decision we make has a strong medium-term benefit and addresses the backlog once and for all. I also want to ensure that we have a proper testing service that young people can avail of quickly when they have concluded their lessons, and that will set out the trajectory of capacity. I take the point that the Deputy made about instructors but we have to deal with it properly with a proper recruitment process.

I was very disappointed to learn that Vueling Airlines had decided to cease its service with both Shannon and Cork airports in June. The cessation of the service relates to capacity issues in Paris Orly Airport.

From my engagement with the airport, and that of the Chamber of Commerce with the Deputy, there is obviously strong ambition to increase the route capacity and there has been a strong recovery of Shannon post-Covid. Obviously, as part of the mid-term review of the regional airports programme and in the new aviation policy, enhancing regional connectivity and ensuring we develop economic opportunities for all the regions is of fundamental importance to me as Minister of State. I have no announcement of an alternative route to give the committee, but I will work with the airport on ensuring it continues to have strong regional connectivity. I will continue to engage with stakeholders.