Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. It is abundantly clear that the aviation sector is in crisis. As has been documented internationally, we have imposed tighter strictures on the level of activity in the sector. We have Brexit coming down the tracks and people will need access to air travel in order to create new connections and to open new markets.

I am not sure how widely we have been looking at testing rather than waiting for the European Union to come up with possible opportunities. I raised in the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response some time ago the availability of antigen testing, which has not been examined. These are short-term, 20-minute turnaround tests which could be used in aviation. I cannot understand why they are not being spoken about or approached.

I would welcome the idea of a European-wide protocol on aviation. However, we are probably not on many countries' green lists and we will not be added to them unless we can get something done in the community here. However, I would like to see greater priority given to the issue of testing and quick turnaround tests.

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