Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The problem with the visa is that it is a single-entry visa. Therefore, a Chinese visitor who visits Ireland after having visited the United Kingdom cannot return to the United Kingdom before returning home. This anomaly needs to be addressed because it is causing a barrier.

Owing to the very close relationship the Minister now has with IAG, surely he could telephone Willie Walsh and have a chat with him about the possibility of putting flights in place. As the Minister knows, since the exclusive arrangement for US visa preclearance at Shannon may not continue, it will undermine the role of the airport.

There is huge potential to use the political capital that has been built up as an anchor to bring direct flights to Shannon, the midwest region, the west and the midlands. Will the Minister put together a working group composed of the Chinese community here, tourism agencies, his Department and public representatives from the wider catchment area, both Government and Opposition, to see how we can develop and market this as a whole?

See this speech in context