Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the points the previous Deputies made. I focus my comments on two groups of workers directly affected by the failed foreign travel policy the Government is pursuing. Representatives of the travel agency industry held a protest outside Leinster House. The travel agencies remained open throughout the pandemic despite a 95% reduction in business. They have reported negative revenues in excess of 100% because they are paying out on bookings from last year. The responses from the Government have been completely unsatisfactory. We need to look after this sector.

Aer Lingus workers are being threatened with lay-offs and the Minister of State has probably received hundreds of phone calls. Is she satisfied and is the Minister satisfied that Aer Lingus operated the temporary wage subsidy scheme, TWSS, appropriately? There are severe criticisms of it.

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