Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I also thank the group of Independent Deputies for bringing forward this motion. First and foremost, I am very supportive of balanced regional development but balancing regional development is multi-faceted and airports constitute an important component of that. It is self-evident that as an island nation, we must maintain our connectivity. That is even more important in the context of Brexit. The investment yesterday is important. We have been waiting for it for a considerable period of time and it is very welcome but it is far from what will be required to put the airports on a sustainable footing.

I do not think any part of the country has been unaffected by the aviation sector. The footprint of an airport is much wider than the immediate area. I was surprised by the number of airport employees in my constituency. North Kildare is not that far from the airport but the dominant group will be in very close proximity. According to the aviation recovery task force, a total of 140,000 jobs are supported by the aviation sector, of which 40,000 involve direct employment by the sector. The estimated contribution of air transport to GDP was €8.9 billion while the estimated contribution of foreign tourists to GDP was €8.7 billion. That was very noticeable after the economic crash post 2008. The tourism sector was key to recovery. That sector is essential and the aviation sector is an essential component of it. It is not all about tourism because, clearly, a lot of commercial activity occurs as a result of an airport being in close proximity. I remember when Intel set up in the 1980s, one of the key reasons it picked a particular location was that it would be in reasonably close proximity to an international airport. It is the kind of thing that demonstrates why companies locate where they do. There is real importance in making sure there is balance.

Regarding test, trace and isolate, we have seen in the past few days the adoption of the framework involving the traffic light system. This framework involves Europe but the domestic application of that is the important component and will require a proper test, trace and isolate system. Something in the region of 400,000 Covid locater forms were submitted between 1 September and 30 October. We know that Christmas is a key time when people travel and we are routinely contacted by people wondering whether members of their families will be able to return home not having seen them since last Christmas. People are looking for some degree of certainty. When it is possible to give that certainty, it is important that the arrangements around that are very clear. The use of locater forms as a mechanism to control people coming into the country is insufficient.

There has to be a domestic arrangement in order that we can be sure we will not trade off one sector against others or against the health of the population. We have to hear from the Minister of State as a matter of urgency as to what is the plan. A plan was due this week. We will have to see that and be told about how long it will take to put it fully in place. Announcing a plan is one thing, delivering it is quite another. The aviation sector is one of the most, if not the most, impacted upon because of the Covid-19 pandemic and we have no degree of certainty as to when the crisis will be over. Managing risks, therefore, will be a key component in our response.

I wish to speak in support of the amendment tabled by Solidarity-People Before Profit in respect of Aer Lingus employees, the wage subsidy scheme and the way that has been handled. There is a real issue here and every one of us is trying to stress the importance of resolving it as quickly as possible. There has to be fair play for the individuals who were affected by this.

It is important to examine how we provide tests and the quality of the tests that are provided. There cannot be a deviation in standards. Whatever systems are put in place, they have to be systems that we can absolutely rely on. I am concerned about what has been announced and about the absence of clarity on what domestic arrangements will be put in place. The question of who pays for these tests is important because this may well end up being an investment. Just as when one looks at regional airports and the amount of money that is put in in the form of a subsidy, one cannot look at that alone. One must look at the return. There is a much wider return than the investment in the airport. Connectivity adds value. It has to be considered in the wider context of the value that is being added if we are really going to get an understanding of the value of these regional airports.

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