Pádraig Ó Céidigh (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Tá mé ag iarraidh ar an Ceannaire cuireadh a thabhairt don Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt teacht isteach agus labhairt linn faoi an plean nó an straitéis atá ag an Roinn Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt ó thaobh Brexit de, agus cúrsaí taistil in Éirinn. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to give the House an outline of his Department's strategy for transport after Brexit? I also support Senator Conway-Walsh's request to have the Minister come to the House to speak about rural transport, which is critically important.

Last week, the European Commission Directorate General for Mobility and Transport issued a document to European transport users, particularly in the aviation sector, with regard to its serious concerns about transport between Ireland and the UK after Brexit. London is the busiest air route in Europe. All EU primary and secondary law will cease to apply to the UK on 30 March 2019, less than a year from now. EU civil aviation safety requirements and regulations will no longer apply to the UK after that date. The European Aviation Safety Agency, EASA, which creates certification for all European airlines and air transport, will not apply to the UK. How does that affect transport and movement in Ireland? What are the Department's plans and strategies in this regard?I believe it very appropriate that the Minister comes in and speaks to this House about this really important issue and from that, the Irish public can become aware of what the Department's plans and strategies are.

I also acknowledge and strongly support the strategy and plans relating to SMEs in Ireland as promoted by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the support that is available through various initiatives, Enterprise Ireland, local employment services and Údarás na Gaeltachta relating to SMEs and the challenges they face with regard to Brexit. I would love to see a similar strategy from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and for him to share that with us in the House.