Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the time that is available, I would like if the Minister could come back to be verbally on the points I intend to raise. I welcome the positive announcement he made today in regard to the Coonagh-Knockalisheen section of the Limerick northern distributor road. I thank him for his engagement on that project. It is a positive development that will improve connectivity and investment in the mid-west region, including for educational facilities such as Limerick Institute of Technology. It will also enable improvements in sewage facilities in the village of Meelick. I really welcome it.

In regard to aviation, can the Minister inform the House as to the appointment of a chairperson to the board of the Shannon Group? I am a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications Networks and we heard yesterday from the coalface, when representatives of the unions told us about the severe challenge the sector is facing.

They referred to tailor-made income support packages that have been made available to workers in the sector by the German and Swedish Governments. I ask the Minister to consider such packages and possibly take the idea on board. We heard from the Irish Air Line Pilots Association regarding the need for direct investment in airlines. I recognise the support package put in place last year, amounting to €80 million, but we need to take a big step further and inject supports directly into our airlines.

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