Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)

Public transport connectivity and services to our airports are obviously critical. They are served relatively well. This can always be improved. I would expect it to be part of the input into our national aviation policy. While the existing policy from 2015 needs to be updated, it is not redundant at all. If anything, if we look at the growth in numbers in our airports throughout the regions and focus on our regional airports, particularly over the past five years, it has been significant. New routes are required. I have met the Shannon Group myself. I had a very good meeting with it. I know my colleagues have also met it. It has some specific asks which we will consider as part of updating and reviewing the national aviation policy. Every Deputy in the House and other stakeholders will have an input into it through the Oireachtas joint committee.

With regard to servicing of airports by our bus fleet this is happening now. I am not familiar with the matter raised by Deputy O'Hara relating to Bus Éireann. If he wants to correspond with me on it I will have at look into it for him.

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