Pádraig Ó Céidigh (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Will the Leader invite the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation to discuss the small and medium enterprise, SME, report, which he actively supported and to which he previously committed? A great deal of work has been done to produce the report and it is significant. I appreciate the Seanad Public Consultation Committee's support in activating the report, which involved approximately two years' work. Since the publication of the report, I have met people from a number of Departments, chambers of commerce, IBEC, the Irish Small and Medium Employers, the Small Firms Association and other organisations, all of which have a strong interest in the report. I have had between 20 and 30 meetings with the industry, which is keen for us to progress with it. I would value the Leader's support in that regard. If he could arrange for the Minister to come to the House as soon as possible, it would be much appreciated. All members of the committee, including our Chairman, Senator Coghlan, would very much welcome it happening as soon as possible. The report was published in May and is approximately five months old.

Approximately 90% of all the passengers at Irish airports use Dublin Airport. Shannon, Cork and the other regional airports are suffering significantly, although that is not Dublin Airport's fault, given that people want to fly into and out of there. We need to create a regional strategy for places such as Cork, Shannon, Waterford and, in particular, Knock to develop a co-ordinated approach. A definite Government policy is needed to create the opportunity. Passenger numbers at Shannon Airport this year will reduce by approximately 120,000, while I imagine there might also be, unfortunately, a reduction at Knock. The airports are essential to our regions and regional development. I urge everybody, but especially the Leader, to push the matter with the Government. As Senator Ó Ríordáin noted earlier in respect of Brexit, we are all together. Let us work actively to try to make such a strategy happen and to create opportunities for our regional airports.