Results 9,261-9,280 of 26,043 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: We are continuing our discussion on aviation. We are discussing the proposals on supports that are necessary to ensure rural air connectivity, with specific reference to Shannon Airport, with the Shannon Chamber in association with the Irish Hotels Federation. On behalf of the Shannon Chamber we have its director, Mr. Kevin Thompstone, and from the Irish Hotels Federation, Ms Elaina...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is good. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or to engage otherwise in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. If the witnesses' statements are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Mr. Thompstone. We now move to the members. First up is Fianna Fáil and Senator Dooley.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Senator, I will not take from your time and will allow you to start again, but some members' loudspeakers are on, so will everyone go on mute? There is a lot of feedback. I ask members and witnesses to check their settings.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Senator Dooley, you may recommence. My apologies.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: We shall suspend the meeting for some minutes to resolve a technical issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Could Mr. Thompstone start his response to Senator Dooley from the beginning? We will add on a little bit of extra time at the end.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Mr. Thompstone. I will now move to the Sinn Féin slot. Substituting for Deputy Darren O’Rourke is Deputy Maurice Quinlivan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: The committee will endorse the report. To which Departments has Mr. Thompstone sent the report and what response did he get?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: We very much support this document. We will write to the Minister for Transport and the Government indicating our full support for it. We will be engaging with the Minister, Deputy Ryan, in the Chamber next week; this is a matter members will be able to raise with him. I want to touch on two issues. Regarding the scheme the group has put in place, if an airline carries 35% of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: If an airline were to hit 100% of its traffic number in July this year relative to July 2019, it would get 100% of the charges refunded.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I have a follow-up question. Will the same scheme apply for the four years or will it be a scaled scheme reducing over the four years?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Which other member state of the European Union has a similar scheme in operation for which it has received state aid approval?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: It got European approval for that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I assume Iberian Airlines would be availing of that, which as you well know is part of the same group as Aer Lingus. Would it be fair to say that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: It could arise that an Irish airline such as Aer Lingus or Ryanair would be getting funds under the Spanish scheme. It could put our industry here at a comparative disadvantage if this scheme were not in place.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Has Mr. Thompstone looked at the multiplier effect? If the State provides funds to Shannon Airport for these route supports has he examined the multiplier effect and the net cost to the State overall? Has he had an opportunity to examine it in that level of depth?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will move on to the hoteliers. I welcome Ms Fitzgerald Kane, president of the Irish Hotels Federation. The federation is seeking to double tourism marketing fund from €47 million to €94 million. Can Ms Fitzgerald Kane indicate what impact that will have? As one of the premier hoteliers in the region, will she give us an overall perspective on the impact on her members and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: We will now move to Senator Buttimer, who has four minutes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Senator Buttimer. Senator Horkan has four minutes.