Dáil debates

Wednesday, 8 July 2020

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

5:15 pm

Photo of Kieran O'DonnellKieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, to the House and wish her well in her post. This debate is about Shannon Airport, specifically the detrimental impact Covid-19 has had on its operations. There has been a 96% reduction in passenger numbers in Shannon Airport since March. Passenger numbers are likely to be 70% lower than last year. Cork and Dublin airports will have a combined reduction in passenger numbers of 40%. Shannon, therefore, has been exponentially impacted by Covid. I seek a number of measures. An aviation task force is about to produce its final report. Will the Minister of State indicate when she expects to receive that report? The report will be made public and I ask that she act on it. Arising out of that report, I would like to see a specific task force report for the Shannon Group, specifically Shannon Airport. We have unique difficulties to overcome in Shannon. Coming from Galway, the Minister of State will understand that Shannon Airport is critical to the western seaboard. The area has the largest number of multinational companies outside Dublin. I want to see supports provided for the development of routes outside Dublin. Shannon Heritage has submitted an application for supports and it should receive funding. Some 230 staff in Shannon Airport who have been told that a voluntary redundancy package is available are extremely worried about their future. We want action and supports for Shannon Airport.

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