Results 17,341-17,360 of 26,148 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes, we would love to take up the invitation.

Financial Resolutions 2021 - Financial Resolution No. 2: General (Resumed) (14 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am delighted to contribute on this debate. In the limited time I have, I will concentrate on a few matters. It did not receive much highlighting in the budget, but I sought it a number of months ago and the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, has included it, namely, an increase in the hourly rate of the disability wage subsidy scheme from €5.30 to €6.30. It...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: There is a period of transition which needs to be handled in a very sensitive way. A large number of employees are involved. Shannon Group still has a role to play and Mr. Ó Céidigh, when he is formally made chair, might continue to be involved in it. The transfer is supposed to take place on 1 January. We are entering a period in which there is major concern among employees of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Deputy Crowe to conclude.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: We will visit when Mr. Ó Céidigh has his feet under the table.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: That would be great.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: We will certainly visit for a good occasion.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is an invite we would heartily endorse. A visit by the Cabinet would convey a powerful message.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: We will co-ordinate with Mr. Ó Céidigh and the board and we will write to the Taoiseach to set in train a meeting. We are all about getting the flights to Heathrow and transatlantic back. We will try to put that in train very quickly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: The next speaker is Deputy Ó Murchú.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Practically, how do you see that happening?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: We appreciate that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: We appreciate that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Does Mr. Ó Céidigh have first-hand knowledge of that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: We need to talk business. That is why we want someone like Mr. Ó Céidigh as chairman. How quickly does that need to be up and running?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Then I suggest the Cabinet should go to Shannon Airport as soon as possible if we are serious about balanced regional development and the airport. We are coming out of Covid-19, with passenger numbers at fewer than 3 million. Under European Commission rules, there is scope there for the Government to provide support. That would be Mr. Ó Céidigh's fundamental request on the flights...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Why?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: The support has to come from Government for no landing or airport charges for a period of three years following which they would taper off. What is the target market for passengers who will fly from Shannon Airport?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (7 Oct 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: On Government support for the strategic Heathrow, Boston and New York routes, in the form of, say, no landing and airport charges over a three year period, what are the implications if such support is not forthcoming?