Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We absolutely think of the people of Cork, Limerick and Shannon. I have spoken to representatives of Aer Lingus and Cork and Shannon airports. The answer to the Deputy's question is "Yes". The decision to shut Cork Airport to upgrade the runway to ensure the long-term success of the airport was a strategic decision made by the airport authority. When I spoke to representatives of Aer Lingus yesterday, I asked them specifically whether the possibility of the airport remaining closed had any influence on the decision or if there is any sense that the airport will not open again after the runway is rebuilt. The answer was "No". I was told that it was an appropriate decision to take to use this period of very limited air travel to upgrade the runway.

In answer to Deputy O'Donnell's question, connectivity will absolutely return to Shannon Airport. It is vital. In fact, I expect that as Cork Airport shuts down in September for the runway to be upgraded, we will see an immediate return of flights from Shannon to make sure that the south-western region has connectivity. However, it cannot be just that. There must be connectivity with the US and other new areas. It will take time, but those airports will return and the jobs will return with them. Our attention is firmly fixed on this issue.

When I am in discussions with representatives of the airports and the airlines, they are more concerned about, and desire more than anything, an understanding of the timeline in respect of the reopening of international travel. As a Government, we committed to providing that timeline by the end of this month, which we will. Statements on aviation due to be made in the Dáil next week will be a most useful opportunity for the members of the Opposition to set out their views as to what that plan and timeline should be. I look forward to hearing what every Member has to say. There will be plenty of time during statements to go into the detail of the matter.

In reflecting upon what we have heard here, we need to be ambitious and get our aviation sector back. We must heed public health advice, but with the roll-out of the vaccination programme, there is the possibility of a return to travel. I have not heard many experts in the area or people in the international sector, or indeed domestically, cite the fact that antigen testing will be key or critical in that regard. I have heard that in respect of the digital green certificate. Antigen testing will have a role to play in widespread screening to enable the return to offices and colleges. I am happy, by all means, for a Deputy to show me an example of international efforts where antigen testing is being used to provide widespread screening to enable air travel. However, and from what I hear and see, it is not the key issue. The key issue is the application of the digital green certificate and the extension, in effect, of the traffic light system that we have introduced. This will enable a return to travel and ensure that we can get connectivity back with our colleagues in the UK, US and Europe, in particular. In truth, in the start-back phase, it is most likely that we will see a return of air travel with those countries that are vaccinating their populations at the same rate and following the same timelines as us. Indeed, some of them may even be ahead of us. It will take time, but we will recover as a country. Our sole focus is to get the aviation sector, and the tourism, hospitality and business sectors that depend on it, back.

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