Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to speak today about three sectors that have been badly affected by this pandemic and the need for us to make plans to ensure their recovery. The three sectors are: aviation, including Shannon Airport and the related industries associated with the mid-west; the tourism sector, not only in Clare but right along the Wild Atlantic Way; and the entertainment and hospitality industry.

Shannon Airport is the key driver of the economy in the mid-west region. I am aware the Government is formulating an assistance package for the airlines. This package must ensure that strategic routes are maintained and that vital connectivity to Heathrow and to North America is retained.

In terms of jobs, Aer Lingus has more than 150 people working at that base and the airport itself has 230 direct employees. Outside of that, there are 80 different aviation companies in and around Shannon and many more businesses have chosen the Shannon region for its connectivity and airport facilities. In addition, more than 10,000 people work in the Shannon industrial zone and a multitude of industries and companies are based in and around Shannon Airport. These companies depend on connectivity and the vital links to all corners of the globe. Some 40% of foreign direct investment companies in Ireland are based in the Shannon region. We need to examine the options available for pre-departure and arrival testing, including temperature testing, to be incorporated in our travel plans, especially for the transatlantic routes. The essential element of Shannon's recovery is connectivity, that is, connectivity with the vital links to Heathrow, to Boston and to New York.

Aer Lingus has invested in six new planes which meet tighter environmental controls. These aircraft can play a vital role in Shannon's recovery. Any assistance package provided by the Government must guarantee that at least two of these are based in Shannon as part of a transatlantic hub, while also servicing Heathrow.

In view of the very limited time available to us today, I ask that the Minister of State would arrange a suitable time for statements on aviation policy and a debate on these vital issues in the coming weeks.

The tourism sector has seen a drastic reduction in the income of both business and employees in County Clare. Prior to Covid-19, tourism across County Clare supported 12,000 jobs and generated €266 million in revenues annually for the local economy. The local tourism economy is in deep crisis, with tourism revenues down €200 million in Clare alone this year, and 8,800 tourism jobs are now at risk. Tourism businesses are facing a stark choice. They are calling for a new financial package, including bank loans and guarantees, a reduction in the VAT rate to 9% and investment in marketing and tourism budgets.

As part of the recovery strategy from the last recession, the last Government devised ideas such as the Wild Atlantic Way and the Gathering, and these strategies dramatically grew both tourism numbers and income right along the entire western coast. Now is the time to devise new ideas and I ask the Minister of State to organise a new ideas forum for the recovery of the tourism industry. In 2022, Ireland will have been an independent State for 100 years. We could use this as a marketing strategy to celebrate our centenary and invite people from the four corners of the globe to come to Ireland. Let us remember both the United States and the Australian bicentenary celebrations some years ago. We could start by inviting the President of the United States to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Ireland, after landing into Shannon Airport, of course.

The curtains have come down on the entertainment and gig economy for musicians, artists and sound, light and visual technicians. This sector has been virtually locked down since the middle of March and I ask the Minister of State to make a special case to keep this industry going at this time.

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