Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We are here to discuss the aviation sector. The question the public are asking relates to Christmas. We are in level 5 until 1 December. People tend to return home from 14 December for Christmas. Ryanair, Aer Lingus and other airlines have said that they will operate flights to facilitate Christmas travel. I refer to Dr. Holohan's presentation, in particular page 6, where it states:

...should testing of asymptomatic passengers be introduced, a 5-7-day period of restricted movement, with a symptom check and test on day 5, is the most efficient method to contain importation of the virus. This approach can still miss up to 15%...

The final paragraph on page 7 states: "It is essential that people who arrive in Ireland or who have returned from travel pay close attention to maintaining two metre distance, hand hygiene, wearing face covering and avoiding crowded situations for a full 14 days...". Dr. Holohan also referenced the following:

...EU level on a common approach to intra-EU travel and that the Government has decided on how these recommendations are to be implemented in Ireland. Senior Officials from across Government, including from the Department of Health, are engaged in discussions on implementation.

This includes the witnesses. As the virus is being brought under control in Ireland, does Dr. Holohan foresee the introduction of pre-departure PCR testing as distinct from antigen testing in respect of travel from countries in the orange and red zones, such that people can return home by flight for Christmas? The return of the diaspora at Christmas time is a traditional and important aspect of what it is to be Irish.