Results 13,161-13,180 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: My understanding is that the airlines themselves have been looking at these matters. Aer Lingus is, for example, part of IAG and has, as I understand it, has been doing a lot of work with its partners on transatlantic routes with regard to passport and other arrangements. It has also looking at the different testing arrangements that might be put in place. The Dublin Airport Authority has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: To be clear, the passenger contact form is not the same as contact tracing. It includes a mechanism to remind those coming from green countries of the basic health protocols here and to allow for people to be texted or otherwise contacted to see whether people are at the location they have said they would be. It is not part of the Department of Foreign Affairs contact tracing arrangement,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: We will amend the forms so that those who qualify under the European exemptions list or who are coming from an amber country can indicate that they are availing of the right to remove themselves from the restrictions on travel. As I said, officials yesterday made the point that our system is not as restrictive as those in other jurisdictions. We are not-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: As a result of geography with regard to the Border, we do not have a system in place under which we could compel, control or completely restrict someone's movements. It must be done on the basis of voluntary compliance, as are the vast majority of the health measures introduced in respect of Covid. One of our successes as a country has been public support and compliance in respect of those...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I agree with the Deputy on the great importance of Shannon Airport. I have some figures here to demonstrate what I meant earlier when I spoke about additional support. Up to 30 September, the value of the employee wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, or the temporary wage subsidy scheme, TWSS, and the deferred VAT payments and commercial rates waiver to Shannon Airport was €4.9 million....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I am just flagging the fact that the Government was very attentive to what committee members were saying about the various strategic interests around Shannon Airport. On the appointment of a chairman, that process is under way and will conclude shortly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: The Public Appointments Service, PAS, is managing the process now. The system has changed since I was last a Minister. Previously, Ministers were very involved in the process but increasingly it is the responsibility of the PAS. I understand that the process is well advanced and I presume nominees will be presented to Government soon and I will make a decision very quickly. Whoever takes...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I would expect to come to some decisions on this sooner than that because the finalising of a national development plan, NDP, or an economic recovery plan will be a longer process. The decisions we make-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: Yes, but that economic plan will not necessarily be completed in the required time. I imagine we will try to have measures in place sooner than that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: Colleagues have made similar points. The last time there was investment in the runway in Cork was thirty-odd years ago. Obviously we must continue to invest in infrastructure to make sure that it is up to date and safe. To go back to what I said earlier, it is my expectation that we will decide on these matters relatively quickly. That sort of project is one which would fit into an NDP...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I will respond quickly to that and back up what Dr. De Gascun said yesterday. It is important that our health officials are fully confident that the use of antigen testing does not pose a risk to public health. The advice for the moment is that it is not safe but that advice is subject to change. Indeed, we should be flexible and open to change when evidence allows. As I understand it,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I have engaged in a series of meetings at European Council, OECD and World Economic Forum levels on this issue because it is one that is faced across the world.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I have had discussions with Mr. Philips. The DAA has done a very good job by being proactive here. On the issue of whether the airport might need planning permission if we were to introduce testing facilities there, to be honest it only came to my desk in the past week. I understand that we have to consider with Fingal County Council whether the council needs to make an adjustment or...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: Yes, absolutely. However, as I said, it might not be the only location.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: If somebody is coming here for five days, the person may not have to go to the airport.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: As I said, it must be in conjunction with good health advice.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: We have a confirmed framework for the green light system at present. We will have a framework for the amber system by Sunday evening, 8 November. Within a short number of weeks after that, I expect we will have a framework for the red list countries. There was a Government decision to take this approach. We listen to the advice of the health authorities, obviously. I was listening to Dr....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I agree with what he said yesterday. I do not believe we can second-guess that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I do not believe he did either yesterday.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: That is the correct approach. As I said at the end, what everybody who is travelling wants is for it to be safe and they want to know they are not contributing to the problem. Heeding the advice in this instance makes sense.