Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle and of the Minister, as on the previous occasion, could my questions be logged and responded to in writing because it will save time and use our time here most efficiently?

It is certainly timely that we are having this debate. As we know, aviation is critical to the economy. In some reports, Dublin Airport and our airports generally are responsible for up to €12 billion to our economy in terms of direct jobs in aviation, suppliers and indeed the enabling of tourism and aspects of our corporate world. There are many jobs provided directly - 130,000 according to the DAA - and, as we know, in terms of tourism there are 260,000 jobs. That is not to mention the corporate contribution made through aviation in this country. The aviation industry is, therefore, vital.

The Minister covered the many challenges faced by our industries at present. We have seen the temporary lay-offs, the closure of Ireland West Airport Knock and the issues in Ryanair, Aer Lingus and smaller airlines like Stobart Air and CityJet, so none of us is unaware of the extreme challenges facing this sector. I must say that I am very concerned. The Minister highlighted the uncertainty that will continue to affect this industry.

Our actions as a State are adding to that uncertainty. I pay tribute to the airlines for their assistance through this crisis, including the measures they have introduced thus far for the few people who essentially have to travel and in regard to the provision of personal protective equipment, PPE. In regard to the proposed task force to which later this week stakeholders will be appointed, presumably those stakeholders are the same people we have been hearing from for months now in terms of getting ready. To kick them out for four weeks frankly is nothing more than kicking the can down the road. The Minister will be aware that Italy lifted its ban today. He will have noted that the European Aviation Safety Agency and the European Centre for Disease Control guidelines, which the Minister referenced, have led to the announcement by Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland and others of specific dates to reopen. As I said, some reopened today and others are set to reopen on 8 June or 18 June in particular, with Spain the outlier of those which have provided certainty setting that date at 1 July.

The guidelines are in place. Most of our European partners are making arrangements to reopen with the appropriate safety guidelines as designed by the European Centre for Disease Control and yet we are setting out the further uncertain message to people who we do not know and who will not know that date but we propose to set up a talk shop which will meet over five weeks to inform us what the stones on the road in the industry Europe-wide seem to know. This is not helpful. As I said, I do not wish to in the slightest undermine our public health advice but we must balance restriction with facts in terms of outcomes and risk and we are not doing that. The 14-day quarantine, based on its continuing for an uncertain period, will mean, in effect, no aviation, which is not acceptable. We need to make haste about our plans. I am sure the stakeholders could be assembled in a matter of hours. I am sure a day could see them come up with guidelines for our safe progression to the use of aviation in the way we need to assist our economy. I appeal to the Minister to bring forward those plans without delay.

As I said, it is unacceptable that it is proposed to kick out the uncertainty which the Minister undermined for a further five weeks. We are all reasonably proud of the great achievements we have had in containing this virus thus far and in flattening the curve. Nobody wishes to jeopardise that but to follow the course outlined by the Minister is to stick our heads in the sand. It is dealing with the issue on the never never, at which time Mr. Ross may not be the Minister. Why not show the leadership that is required, be pioneering and assemble the stakeholders in a matter of hours, take a decision in a matter of days and provide the certainty that it is within the power of the Minister to provide?

I would appreciate if the Minister could respond to my questions in writing in the interests of efficiency.

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