Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sinn Féin vigorously opposed the privatisation of Aer Lingus in 2015 by Fine Gael and the Labour Party. We said at that time that it would cost jobs. Unfortunately, that decision has left the Government severely weakened in its position and that is obvious. I ask the Minister to engage proactively with Aer Lingus, and to not come in here and list the supports every sector is getting. The aviation sector has been hit harder than most. Surely, the Minister must acknowledge that. Can the Minister please advise us regarding when we are going to see a recovery plan for aviation, because Sinn Féin has been requesting that for months?

That recovery plan must include antigen testing and the digital green certificate. We need a roadmap out of this situation, because, at the very least, that will give Aer Lingus confidence that it will be able to retain those bases because business will be coming back. The Minister is not giving the airline that confidence now. From talking to people in the sector, I know they are deeply disappointed at his hands-off attitude. They do not believe the Minister is committed to aviation and the retention of these jobs. He must step up to the plate and demonstrate such commitment.

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