Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise an issue with the Tánaiste on foot of the pending announcement that President Biden will allow transatlantic flights to resume from November. The Tánaiste will be aware that Shannon Airport has key transatlantic destinations to the likes of Boston and New York. The Heathrow Airport route is now back up and running, which is positive. We want to see that continue. The Tánaiste mentioned earlier about looking at funding for strategic routes. Shannon Airport has three current strategic routes, namely, Heathrow into Europe and worldwide and two transatlantic routes to Boston and New York. All three routes involve Aer Lingus. There are also other airlines flying transatlantic. Can the Tánaiste advise if there are discussions ongoing with Aer Lingus?

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