Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister, the Minister of State, and the Department for their continued work in ensuring transport connectivity, especially public transport connectivity, has remained operational during the past few months.

Mayo's Inishturk and Clare Island rely on ferry services as there are no alternative options available, so it is important to recognise the efforts of those working in our transport sector to ensure these services keep moving. Having used the ferry services myself recently, I know they form critical transport infrastructure for those who rely on them.

The public have played their part with high levels of adherence to public health requirements regarding the wearing of masks on public transport. Many people rely on Irish Rail to travel to Dublin from Westport, Castlebar, Ballina, Foxford, Claremorris and Ballyhaunis.

However, the aviation sector remains heavily impacted by Covid-19, unfortunately. This has had a significant impact on passenger numbers at Ireland West Airport Knock. People throughout the west hold Knock Airport in the highest regard as the beating heart of the Wild Atlantic Way. It is a special place where parents and children are reunited and where families embark on long overdue holidays. It is an arrival destination for those who have left many years ago to once again set foot back on Irish soil. As an island, we rely especially on our airports for connectivity, more so than other mainland European countries. This summer has been different, however, and Ireland West Airport Knock has witnessed a 90% reduction in summer passenger numbers. Earlier this week the chambers of commerce in Mayo, Galway and Sligo called for additional support via the regional airports programme. The financial situation of Knock Airport has deteriorated as a result of collapsing passenger numbers. This is especially disappointing as estimates for the airport had expected 2020 to be its busiest year yet, getting ever closer to breaking the figure of 1 million passengers per annum.

On 20 June, the Government set up a task force to report to the Minister and the Government on the restructuring of the aviation sector. The task force report was sent to the Government on 10 July. I recently asked the Taoiseach how he proposes to deal with the recommendations of the task force but I failed to get a response. Is it to be referred to a special committee or dealt with by the Covid committee, which is currently in session? If it is to be referred to a different committee, which Department will oversee its work, and will there be an opportunity for hearings from interested bodies to be heard? When does the Minister expect the task force recommendations to be acted upon and implemented? As this is a critical national issue, I ask the him to take a personal interest in this matter in the view of its importance for Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Knock and for Ireland as a whole. I would like to hear what he has to say in his closing remarks on this matter. Special consideration needs to be given to regional airports in the upcoming budget as they will play an increasing role in spreading passenger numbers when air travel moves towards normal levels versus over-reliance on Dublin Airport and funnelling passengers there.

I am also conscious of the need to have the best road infrastructure in place to help tourism and Mayo industries as we navigate a post-Covid world. With record numbers of staycations in Mayo, road usage has been much heavier this year compared with previous years. It is excellent to see progress on the N5 Turlough to Westport dual carriageway, construction of which is well under way. It will be critical infrastructure for our county when completed and will result in much safer travel as the existing road between Castlebar and Westport is quite simply unsafe and operating well beyond its intended capacity. I would also appreciate it if the Minister's office would undertake to update me on other important road projects that will benefit Mayo, namely, the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramogue road project, the N26 Swinford to Ballina road and the R312 Castlebar to Belmullet road.

See this speech in context