Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

As we proceed through the accelerated roadmap and people begin to look forward to normal life, or as normal as it can be, summer holidays and travel become a big focus. In the sea of what has been confusing messaging on a host of measures, not least face coverings although the Taoiseach has addressed that to some degree today, it is fair to say that people are also confused about the realistic prospect, or not, of air travel in the near future. Michael O'Leary has been omnipresent, telling everyone who will listen that Ryanair has everything sorted and is restoring 40% of its flights from 1 July. Ryanair is proudly announcing on its website that travel restrictions are lifted and that it is open for holidays from €39.99.

I had a good look at the website and nowhere does it refer to the Government restrictions that have been imposed regarding the need to self-isolate for two weeks upon landing, or the fact that a mandatory form must be completed on which one gives an address at which one may be contacted. We have to be realistic. Where somebody goes away for a week's holiday, is he or she really going to take three weeks off, isolate for two weeks and not return to work? It is similar for somebody who goes on a business trip for a few days. We must be realistic about this. From 1 July, the scale of this issue becomes much bigger.

We all agree that had travel restrictions been in place in March when we had a large influx of visitors from northern Italy, we may have had a considerably reduced number of infections. Indeed, we may well have had avoidable deaths.

The aim of the roadmap is to reopen as much as possible, as soon as possible and as safely as possible. While that is fine, a quick and reliable method of testing and tracing becomes critically important in ensuring we do not regress. Accordingly, we need to carefully manage risk and travel is one of the main risks.

Last week, the House was told by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport that social distancing will occur on airlines where possible. The phrase, "where possible" could mean limiting the number of passengers or separating people where the flights are not fully booked. What happens in cases where they are fully booked? Ultimately, who decides that and how is it policed? Are we happy that those decisions are being made by a particular airline or has the Government plans to manage this?

Michael O'Leary's business is flying people and making a profit. Our business is about keeping people safe. The two are not necessarily in keeping with one another. We cannot be complacent about the potential growth of the virus becoming resurgent. In the US, for example, just six weeks ago, there were seven states where the R number was greater than one. Today, there are 15 states where the R number is greater than one. That signals that the virus is expanding. The UK's top government scientist appeared to acknowledge, at least in private, that the R number appears to be above one there. Daily flights from 1 July to London, Birmingham, Manchester and many other UK destinations, however, are now being advertised.

With a small number of flights, it is possible to test and trace. If that is scaled up dramatically, then it requires a significantly scaled up testing and tracing operation. Who will do that? Is that being planned for? When it comes to testing at airports, bearing in mind that hospitals do tests and give results within ten minutes from start to finish, is that an option? If so, could that not be used in other settings? Is it about cost? Is it about reliability when hospitals see them as reliable tests? There is talk of air corridors, as well as places and locations where testing is done at airports. What is the approach?

In addition to the confusion about face coverings, although that seems to be fairly clear with regard to air travel, we are being told that they will be mandatory on flights. How is that going to be policed? There are nervous flyers and children on flights, for example. These are very mixed messages.

The ideal would be to eliminate the virus. Failing that, the best we can do is to manage it and keep it to an absolute minimum. Travel is such an important part of that. Our airlines are a really important industry, which I acknowledge. However, they have to operate safely. Who is making the decision on this? Is it being made by the airlines or is the Government policing this? With increased flights, will the Taoiseach tell the House how it is intended to manage the risks? Will it be scaled up? If so, who will do it? Is it not self-evident that testing at airports and ports must happen?

See this speech in context