Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister. I accept the figure came from the regional authority but it was certainly led to believe by the previous Minister for Transport that the amount would be forthcoming. It now appears their plan, which involved all the stakeholders putting that plan together, is being dropped in favour of a plan coming from the various Departments involved. It is coming far too late.

Leaving aside what has happened with the Heathrow slots since, this package was meant to help the region benefit from the open skies agreement, not to find itself being disadvantaged by it. We have known about this for years and the promise was made to provide a package to help the region capitalise on the possibilities of open skies. Other airlines, airports and countries have been securing their markets and arranging transatlantic routes while Ireland has been sitting on its hands. There has been no active aviation policy coming from this country.

Considering we are an island country largely dependent on aviation, a sector that is very volatile, we cannot have either a passive or reactive aviation policy. It must be aggressive, on the ball and anticipate problems. Does the Minister accept this package is, if not too late, needed urgently? It must be quickly put together. What kind of timescale is involved?

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