Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

As I said, the smooth running of Dublin Airport is of critical importance in terms of the recovery of the tourism sector. The DAA has the statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport, including all the operations associated with security screening at the airport. The passenger experience at Dublin Airport is falling far short of the service that citizens and visitors should expect at our largest State airport. The Government recognises the undue stress that these unacceptable delays are having on passengers. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, continue to hold meetings with the CEO, Dalton Philips, and his management team in this regard. From a tourism perspective, I am concerned. If this situation were to continue, it has the potential to cause significant reputational damage to the country abroad, and as a result hinder the recovery of the tourism sector. That is the reason I wrote to Dalton Philips to express my concern. In his reply, he outlined some key measures being rolled out, which aim to substantially mitigate the risk of a repeat of recent days. My time is short, but I can send the communication to the Deputy. I am informed that regular meetings will continue with the DAA at ministerial level with the Department of Transport until the Minister is satisfied that difficulties persisting at the airport are satisfactorily resolved. I will keep in contact with the Minister and Minister of State.

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