Results 61-80 of 2,988 for speaker:James O'Connor

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (27 Oct 2020)

James O'Connor: Would Mr. Brandon boil that down to the domestic situation in Ireland compared with, perhaps, Germany where there are higher levels of travel within the European Union?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (27 Oct 2020)

James O'Connor: I appreciate that. My next question is for the representative from the European Commission, Mr. Cornelis. Our connections with North America and transatlantic traffic are very important for the aviation sector in Ireland and for Shannon, Dublin and Cork. I am concerned about the current guidelines set down by the government in the United States. Obviously, the US is going through a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Oct 2020)

James O'Connor: I offer sincere congratulations to Mr. Seán Doyle on his appointment as head of British Airways. He is working with Aer Lingus's parent group AIG at the moment and is a very proud son of Youghal. I wish the new acting CEO the best of luck. Mr. Wilson is probably aware that I gave a significant presentation at Cork Airport when he visited us about my concerns. A reference we have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Oct 2020)

James O'Connor: I apologise for interrupting Mr. Moriarty but is any engagement ongoing between the European Commission and representatives from the US and Canada, to his knowledge?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Oct 2020)

James O'Connor: The Chairman has put a lot of work into trying to get a representative from NPHET to come before the committee and I understand the CMO may appear before us very soon. As the two key airlines in the State, it is important I ask the representatives what message would they like this committee to convey to the CMO when he appears before us. Perhaps Mr. Wilson might like to answer that one first.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Oct 2020)

James O'Connor: I thank Mr. Wilson. In the minute that is remaining to me, will the representatives from Aer Lingus comment on the same issue?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Oct 2020)

James O'Connor: I will speak first about the Covid infrastructure we may require in our airports if we are to facilitate rapid testing. This is a significant issue which was outlined to us by Mr. Philips. What is the issue around that? Will Mr. Philips expand on the issue that means they are not able to avail of a fast-tracked planning process for Covid infrastructure at airports?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Oct 2020)

James O'Connor: That issue is arising with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Oct 2020)

James O'Connor: My next question is for Mr. Philips and Ms Considine. In terms of capital infrastructure projects ongoing at the airports or which had been planned in the next number of years, do the witnesses have any intentions to ask the Government for support with such projects, taking advantage of the quiet period with low levels of air traffic?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Oct 2020)

James O'Connor: With the review of the national development plan coming up in the next number of months, it is critical for the authorities of the airports represented here today to make their presentations to the Government on that. It is important that should happen. Does Ms Considine have something to say on that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Oct 2020)

James O'Connor: It is deeply worrying to hear that. There is a major requirement for the Department of Transport to act on that immediately in parallel with the Departments with responsibility for expenditure and capital investment. I am sure other representatives will follow up on that. I will make a final point to Ms Considine and Mr. Philips. Transatlantic travel is important to the DAA and to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Oct 2020)

James O'Connor: I thank the witnesses for their contributions. We heard earlier from the airlines and we are hearing now from those working in the airports and the aviation sector on the ground. Something we heard a lot about today is demand, to which Ms Considine also referred. An issue of great concern to me, and I hope to the witnesses as well, is the toxic aspect that has developed around aviation in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Services (3 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: 129. To ask the Minister for Health the funding being provided for the restoration of cancer services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33568/20]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I thank Dr. Holohan and Dr. De Gascun for all the work they are doing. They have an incredibly difficult task. No elected representative envies the decisions they have made and what is ahead of them and yet to come. My first question is for both doctors. It is very relevant to all sectors in transport, particularly aviation, and to people's lives as well. How long do the NPHET...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I understand that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I accept that. I apologise for interrupting as my time is limited and I have a few more questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: We fully accept that. The vast majority of reasonable people will do so. We are now at a much more advanced stage regarding the virus. We have been living with it for almost a year and a number of vaccination trials internationally have been making great progress. From the witnesses' understanding, could they indicate when a vaccine might be available to the public? How is the testing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I thank Dr. De Gascun for that. On foot of that, he will accept that with regard to adapting to living with the virus, it is important that we continue to investigate actively the possibly of rapid-testing infrastructure and advancing technologies in that area. I accept that there are still underlying concerns about antigen testing and the lack of a comprehensive study on it. Have the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: In the limited time left to me I ask the Chair to indulge me with one more question. I know that our witnesses were asked about the infrastructure at airports. The whole area of working with elected representatives and Ministers on this issue is quite important. From my engagement with very senior members of the Government there is a degree of hesitation on their part until public health...

Finance Bill 2020: Second Stage (4 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I appreciate the opportunity to speak on the Finance Bill 2020. As we all know, it is a very difficult time for businesses across the country. The measures in the Bill are intended to go some way to reinforcing the Government's support for the economy against the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the continuing possibility of a no-deal Brexit, which is a very serious risk for the Cork...