Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In the past, the Minister has stated that he does not like to see people in motor cars. I believe that the Minister really does not like to see people in aeroplanes either.

The connectivity between our country and the rest of Europe and the rest of the world is of paramount importance. The Aer Lingus workers are fighting for their survival. Cork and Shannon airports need to be enhanced and helped to grow. I ask the Minister of State and the Government to stop dumping money in Dublin Airport, an airport that does not even have a rail network going to it from the city. That is absolutely ridiculous. The amount of money being pumped into Dublin Airport at a time Shannon Airport is being left to sink is wrong and should not be allowed to happen.

I ask the Minister of State to please take on board the massive contribution being made by people who are working in the aviation industry, be it for international business people who want to go to come here or the tourists who want to come into our country. These are all of paramount importance. It is so important that we protect those lifelines to the rest of the world. We are an island nation and do not forget it. People will have to fly in here and they will have to fly out. If we want businesses and our tourism sector to grow we need to help, but the Government is looking to tax flights into Ireland by raising enormously the cost of the aviation fuel through taxes.

With regard to our airport in County Kerry and our regional airports such as the airport at Knock, we want to ensure they continue. The great Monsignor Horan and Charles. J. Haughey worked tirelessly to ensure that airport was carved out of a bog. It has served a great purpose there since, welcoming people into that part of the country. Kerry Airport is also a great regional airport and we want to ensure it is allowed to continue into the future.

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