Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Global civil aviation is facing its most challenging crisis ever and a range of forecasts across the airline sector do not anticipate global capacity returning to 2019 levels before 2023 or 2024. When aviation might resume in a meaningful way is clearly linked to the evolution of the coronavirus, ongoing travel restrictions and advisories, as well as the more general economic outlook. In Ireland current estimates predict airport passenger numbers this year at just 25% of 2019 levels. The scale of the decline is having a severe impact on airlines, airports and associated businesses in the aviation sector. To assist businesses to protect employment, the Government acted early in the Covid crisis to introduce wage supports and put in place a suite of measures to assist businesses, which I mentioned earlier.

I have committed to undertake an examination of the future viability and sustainability of Shannon Group. I will consider financial supports and any other measures that may be necessary and appropriate as part of the review of Shannon Group. I intend to bring recommendations to Government shortly.

Senators can be assured of our commitment to ensure that we open up aviation. As an island nation, it is critical not only to our economy, but also socially, and for tourism, family, friends and all our diaspora. It is an issue of fundamental importance to us.