Results 8,681-8,700 of 26,021 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

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?

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: If this money is put on the table by Government in the form of these supports, will it speed up the process of getting the three daily flights from Heathrow in the morning, daytime and evening and getting the Boston and New York flights back? Will it speed up the process?

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

Kieran O'Donnell: Does Mr. Ó Céidigh think it would happen reasonably quickly?

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

Kieran O'Donnell: Thank you, Mr. Ó Céidigh. A few non-members of the committee have indicated so I will go to them. There will be roughly five minutes for each, then I will go back to members. We have Senators Conway, Maria Byrne and Gavan and Deputy McNamara.

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

Kieran O'Donnell: Mr. Ó Céidigh is aware there is a new aviation strategy about to commence. He might answer in that context as well.

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

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes, that is very important.

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

Kieran O'Donnell: The final question is on the marketing of the airport. Is it realistic to expect that you could have a model where people come by bus from Dublin to Shannon Airport to get flights out of it or is that pie in the sky?

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

Kieran O'Donnell: Not that we are aware of.

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

Kieran O'Donnell: I call Senator Gavan and she has five minutes.

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

Kieran O'Donnell: I suspect the Department is due to review its national aviation policy. Mr. Ó Céidigh will be aware that this committee completed a report on aviation last year and suggested that this is an area that needs to be reviewed. We are all trying to get to the same place. The core issue at the moment is getting planes into the air but Senator Gavan makes a very valid point.

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

Kieran O'Donnell: What does Mr. Ó Céidigh believe is a realistic passenger number target for Shannon Airport? What would he like to see?

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

Kieran O'Donnell: When does Mr. Ó Céidigh deem that to be a realistic target? Would 2024 be realistic?

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

Kieran O'Donnell: Mr. Ó Céidigh is suggesting 2024 for 1.7 million passengers and then 2027 for 2.5 million to 3 million.

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

Kieran O'Donnell: I do not think so.

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

Kieran O'Donnell: That would tie in with the 2024 target-----