Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sorry to interrupt this back and forth between the father of the House and the Leader of the House but how and ever, there is an issue I would like to raise. As Senator Horkan rightly noted, today is yet another crucial day in yet another discussion about the ongoing malaise that is Brexit. Whatever happens this afternoon, tomorrow or indeed the next 12 months, one of the key issues facing the country is the level of diversification, be it in terms of trade, exposure to the wider world and connectivity. One issue where this is quite clear is increasing direct flights from Ireland to various parts of the world. We have seen the success of this with regard to China and certain cities in the US but there is a clear need for a direct flight from Dublin to India, be it to Delhi or Mumbai. I call on the Leader to bring the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to the House to discuss this and other ways that Ireland can further diversify its ties to the wider world in the post-Brexit era.