Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)

I will call on the Deputies who tabled questions to the Minister for Transport in the order in which they submitted their questions to my office.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if he will make an urgent statement to the House on the steps he is taking to respond to the stranding of tens of thousands of air passengers in Ireland and abroad; the other forms of connectivity, in particular marine connectivity, being enhanced to deal with the current crisis in view of tens of thousands of travellers as well as the high value exports that depend on this connectivity; while acknowledging the safety-critical nature of air travel and the paramount importance of protecting air passengers and aviation staff, when he believes that air travel will fully resume; the information he has reviewed in terms of the operation of aircraft and the opening of airspace in view of these extreme conditions, and the way he has liaised with EU transport Ministers to facilitate the earliest safe resumption of aviation.

Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the assistance the Government is providing to stranded passengers and to enterprises dependant on aviation and tourism generally in order to alleviate the effects of the current crisis in aviation; and if he will make a statement of the matter.

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