Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Deputy Griffin and will be taking six minutes. The two Ministers represent the two sectors most ravaged by Covid. It has been predicted by those within those industries that the post-Covid recovery could take three or four years. That is certainly the case in respect of aviation. There has been a little bit of a bounce back in the tourism sector as a result of domestic tourism and the whole concept of staycations. That has been excellent but we will not see a full recovery until we see international tourists on the highways and byways of our island.

There is an opportunity to recalibrate aviation in Ireland post Covid and to draft an entirely new aviation policy that ensures there is not regional imbalance. Over the last seven or eight years, we have seen increased funnelling of air traffic through Dublin Airport. Some might say that is what the consumer wants. It may be what people flying into Ireland want. There could be an element of truth to that. Some might also say that Ireland is a small island and that two or three hours on the road will take one to the other side of the country. However, the reality is that the dominance of Dublin Airport in the years running up to Covid has been to the detriment of Shannon Airport in my own constituency and, to a lesser extent, the airports in Cork and Knock. There is now an opportunity to do as other countries such as Holland, Finland and Denmark have done and to grasp the nettle once and for all, overhaul Irish aviation policy and have the three airports working in tandem so that one does not dominate at the expense of the others. The relationship between Irish airports in recent years has been rather predatory. We are a small island and that does not work any more. The airport chiefs and those in the industry are saying likewise. Government needs to lead and devise a brand new policy to reflect that.

Earlier today, the joint committee met with the newly appointed chairperson, Pádraig Ó Céidigh. I thank the Minister for expediting that appointment in recent weeks. There was a very long delay which no one in the region wanted but he is there now and we welcome that. He made an interesting point, which I had raised in the Select Committee on Transport and Communications last week. I suggested that he should take on the role in a more executive capacity. At the moment, he will be chairing meetings which may only happen every second or third week. There is a feeling in the region and among those who have Shannon Airport in their hearts that Pádraig Ó Céidigh will be a very positive influence, working alongside the chief executive, Mary Considine. He made the point today that taking on an executive function over the next 12 months could be a very good thing and we really believe that. It would allow him to immerse himself in the airport as it tries to recover. I ask the Minister to look at that. The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, said that this may not be the best way forward but, in light of today's meeting, it needs to be looked at again.

On a further point regarding the recovery of aviation, waiving landing charges would be a great incentive. Mr. Ó Céidigh made that point in the committee room. Having led Aer Arann for many years, he knows how airports and airlines engage with one another and what kind of offers are put on the table. He told us categorically that many European airports are again offering free landing slots to airlines to stimulate demand and get the airlines back. We have supported the sector but we now need to stimulate the recovery. I hope some of these things can be looked at.

Just last week, JetBlue began transatlantic operations. Its aircraft are now touching down in Gatwick. There is a unique opportunity there in respect of budget transatlantic travel between Ireland and the United States. I hope we can look at that.

I have also worn a path down the street to the Saudi Embassy. There is a belief that we can run new routes between Shannon Airport and the Middle East. I nearly said the mid-west. We could have routes from the mid-west to the Middle East. The airport in Riyadh is craving the hub status enjoyed by the airport in Doha, Qatar, Abu Dhabi International Airport and other Middle Eastern airports. There is an opportunity there.

I implore the Minister to appoint a mediator in respect of the ongoing Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, staff dispute. The IAA has told us time and time again that it has an internal dispute reconciliation process but I am hearing from people I trust, whom I have known since I was knee high, with whom I grew up and who now work within the inner sanctums of the Irish Aviation Authority, that this internal dispute resolution mechanism is not working on this occasion. We implore the Minister and the other Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to push on and put a mediator in place. It would really expedite this process. The authority plays a very strategic role.

I ask the Minister not to penalise the aviation sector in budget 2022, with particular regard to carbon tax. We all fear that. There is a real fear that carbon taxes will be loaded on many sectors. Aviation cannot take that.

In the last minute I have, I will raise a few points regarding tourism. There are fantastic opportunities for tourism. The staycation concept has worked but much more needs to be done. Some areas I hope we could look at as budget 2022 is finalised include an extension of the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, right up to next summer when the sector will bounce back properly and the retention of the 9% VAT rate which is enticing people out of their homes to go and spend money, to go to their local hostelries and to go on holiday to other parts of Ireland. We need to extend that, possibly for another three or four years. Other matters that should be considered are an extension of the commercial rates waiver and international marketing.

I will ask for the forbearance of the Ceann Comhairle as I go on a slight tangent. In my last speech in the Chamber, last week, I asked for assistance in getting an Afghan family who are neighbours of mine home. They are now home. I want to thank the Minister and all of his team but I also want to thank a local lady, Catherine Hickey from Westbury, on the record of the House. Day after day, she sent WhatsApp and Facebook messages championing the family. They are home and Ms Hickey deserves to be thanked.

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