Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I agree with much of what has been said here today. We are talking about the tourism and aviation sectors - two sectors that were hammered by the pandemic we have been through. Some of that pain will continue to be felt into the future, so it will be necessary to keep everything under consistent and constant review. Business and individual supports will be necessary. I agree with points made previously in respect of the fact that we should never miss an opportunity provided by the sort of chaos that we have been through. We really need to look at the HR issues that we currently face and we must ensure that terms, conditions and workers' rights are protected, whether it is in Aer Lingus or in the context of the outsourcing issue relating to the DAA. That is absolutely necessary. We also need to look at what the sector is asking for as regards an aviation-specific EWSS.

Connectivity is necessary. Like Deputy Carey, I attended the meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications earlier. In fairness to Pádraig Ó Céidigh, he spoke about regional balance and the necessary steps he would take in relation to Shannon Airport. He stated that he believes there is a possibility to work alongside the DAA and others with a view to producing something that works for everybody. We cannot go on with the situation we have been in, whereby we go from panic stations to panic stations. We need an overall strategy. That goes without saying.

Points were also raised earlier in respect of necessary supports that will be required by the likes of the private coach industry. It has been hammered in the pandemic. We must provide supports to the industry. Even in the live music and events sector, certain skill sets and supports that need to be looked at. Those in the sector would say that they are afraid of losing some of those skill sets. We must ensure that these people are protected up to a point in time, which may be after 22 October, when that part the industry is able to move into a stronger position.

Across the board, we must ensure that we provide the supports required to keep these industries going. It is why we provided them in the first place. We also need to ensure that we have a policy that works in terms of both tourism and aviation.

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