Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State and his colleagues for coming to the committee today. I have three questions, all of which are related to aviation given my proximity to Dublin Airport and my liking for going to different countries. He said that the aviation sector in Ireland plays an enormous role, and not just in one sector but in lots of sectors. How does the Government intend to balance the need to maintain that level of business while implementing the effective measures needed to reduce carbon emissions?

When we look at the roadmap for SAF, 2050 does not seem that far away. We are really only in the infancy stages of it. Part of the broader strategy to increase production was supposed to be complemented by an incentive programme. Has the Department examined that incentive programme? If so, who is Ireland working with on that?

My third question relates to consumers and people like me. I am hopeful that there will be price supports for that when it does finally come. In the interim, are there any proposals in Ireland or the EU to support the cost of travel with price supports? I am aware that we should not be allowing people to go willy-nilly wherever they want to go and that we should encourage them to use different modes of transport but until we get a fuel that is efficient for the climate and for carbon output, does the Government intend to support consumers with the flights that they will continue to take?