Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I did meet the CEO of Aer Lingus. The Deputy is correct that I met with him, Deputy Cathal Crowe and all the Deputies and Senators from the region. That meeting served to convey the sense of urgency and importance that public representatives in the mid-west, and in Limerick and Clare especially, feel about this issue, as well as the need for action concerning Shannon more generally and in respect of regional connectivity. I made it clear to Aer Lingus that the Government's priority is regional connectivity. Yesterday's decision by the European Council confirming the introduction of the digital green certificate in respect of Covid-19 to facilitate travel is an important development. The Government will be considering this and wider issues concerning the support of the aviation sector, via airlines and airports, in the coming days and next week. It is an issue which is really up there in terms of Government priorities.

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