Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The aviation sector has suffered devastating consequences due to the pandemic. That was laid bare with Aer Lingus's recent announcement that it will be permanently pulling its cabin crew from Shannon Airport and there will be job losses in Cork for crew and ground staff. This is a terrible blow for the staff involved and their families. It is also causing increased anxiety for people working in the sector regarding their job security. While no one could have foreseen the disruption to international travel caused by the pandemic, the lack of protection available to workers is a direct consequence of the Fine Gael-Labour Party Government's decision to fully privatise Aer Lingus in 2015. That significantly weakened the Government's hand in addressing the current crisis. It left regional bases and routes vulnerable and we are seeing the consequence of that in Shannon and Cork. Those decisions are leading to increased isolation for Ireland at a time when we need to increase connectivity.

Earlier in the pandemic, restrictions on international travel were required to protect public health as populations were unvaccinated and the virus was running rampant. At this stage, however, we need a clear pathway for international travel. We need to maintain and support our strategic connectivity, aviation jobs and the rights of workers. The loss of routes is devastating and it could take years to win them back, if it can be done at all. When the disastrous decision was taken in 2015 to privatise Aer Lingus fully, a €245 million connectivity fund was established. It is time to use that fund to protect jobs and routes. Even when travel reopens, the sector will remain under financial pressure for some time and supports will have to be provided.

We must take advantage of the positives. Europe's vaccination programme is progressing and plans to implement the digital green certificate are ongoing. We need to have a comprehensive plan in place for Ireland, including timelines. We also need concrete plans on testing, including antigen testing, to ensure people can travel safely internationally. We have been calling for this for months and it is time the Government delivered. The transport committee has heard expert evidence on how serial antigen testing can be used. We must include it in our testing regime. We need to prepare and antigen testing is a part of that. We must ensure there is a recovery plan in place for the sector. Without a clear plan, the significant damage the restrictions have had on aviation will worsen and it will be very hard to come back from that. The hands-off approach taken by the Minister for Transport and the Government is costing more and more jobs. We need a plan as a matter of urgency. A total of 140,000 jobs depend on it.

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