Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We all want functioning State airports in Dublin and elsewhere. Part of the pressure is the understaffing in the airport and the shortage of labour, something which is hitting every sector. Since recruitment efforts were redoubled in March of this year, Dublin Airport has seen a significant interest in advertised positions. I understand it received more than 5,000 applications. At our weekly meetings we discuss staffing numbers, training and the deployment of new staff to help ease the pressure on current staff who are under extreme pressure in the airport.

The operation of an airport is not a matter for the Minister; it is a matter for the DAA which has a statutory obligation in this regard. The Deputy can be ensured that the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and I are monitoring the situation. We want to continue to ensure that passengers have confidence that they can get to their flights on time, make their holidays, meet family and friends internationally and take the stress away from international travel.

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