Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not know how to follow Senator Garvey because she has said a lot. I understand the sentiment of the motion but the principal and fundamental underpinning is, as Senator Garvey said, that Shannon Group is not just an airport. Therein lies part of the difficulty. Despite what Members think and what I might say, I am not interested in having a Shannon versus Cork debate and rivalry, even though there is competition, which is healthy, because Shannon is to the mid-west what Cork is to the south.

Tonight's debate is very important in the context of regional airports because there is commonality and we agree that regional airports are necessary and fundamental and are economic drivers of the regions where we all come from. As a very proud Cork person, speaking and advocating for Cork Airport, what I want to see happen is that Shannon Airport and Cork Airport would co-exist and be equally successful in acting as a counterbalance to Dublin and the Dublin-Belfast axis, in terms of economic development but also in aviation. That is what we should focus on in the debate and in the future.

To be fair to Senator Dooley, he is a very capable member of the transport committee. We have had the airlines, the aviation sector, the DAA, representatives of Shannon Airport, and we had the Irish Travel Agents Association in today and we understand fully the mammoth task involved in getting people back travelling. The backdrop is that Shannon and Cork have a sword hanging over them in terms of whether Ryanair will continue to use them as bases. That is why tonight's debate is timely. I understand the Minister had to attend a Cabinet meeting. That is regrettable, but I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, on his appointment and elevation and wish him well in his new role. What we must be focused on is growing passenger numbers and ensuring support for the aviation sector. Let us have an honest debate about that.

The sum of €31 million has been allocated for regional airports. Yesterday, there was a very welcome €10 million in the Government's budget announcement for Cork and Shannon airports. I believe they will receive €5 million each. If there is to be equality of funding then Shannon has already got €11 million and Cork has got €5 million and there is €31 million to be divided. If we are talking about equivalence then there should be fair treatment for all airports. What we want is the best for our airports and the staff working in them. To be fair, I can speak for the staff in Cork Airport, whom I have met but to be honest I have not met the staff in Shannon. They have made significant changes to work practices and how they do business. It is a testament to the relationship they have with management and to the future they see for the airport that this has happened. There is a need for a level playing field but, equally, it is important that the Government understands the precariousness of the aviation sector. I challenge those following the debate at home, and those interested, to go back to the recent meetings of the Oireachtas transport committee hearings where we have been dealing with this very difficult situation. It is about support and testing and Europe working together to ensure that the traffic light system works for the sector and the travelling public, and that we restore confidence in the aviation sector.

You come from a Border county, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. You have seen what has happened in the past ten days. Monday was a significant day in the European Union for the aviation sector. There are impending announcements on having a green, red and amber system, a testing regime and a decision by Ryanair on its bases in Cork and Shannon, which will have a profound impact on jobs, connectivity and balanced regional development. If we are to stand for balanced regional development, irrespective of our ideology, political philosophy or affiliation, then central to the connectivity is the hub represented by Cork and Shannon airports to their respective regions.That is why I and others - I give Senator Dooley and Deputy Carey credit for this - have repeatedly raised the issue of aviation. I understand the jobs associated with it, both direct and indirect, and the issue of connectivity. What happens if, tomorrow morning, flights to and from these two airports cease completely? Our connectivity would be ended. There is an old saying; when they are gone, they are gone. I believe it was used an advertisement for Right Price Tiles. Is that the case for the airlines' flights, routes and aeroplanes? Airlines have operated flights in order that they would not have to refund people. That is why this motion is welcome.

I appeal to Senator Gavan not to divide the House on Friday because we all want to see Cork Airport and Shannon Airport survive and for them to get back to where they were as regards growing passenger numbers. I appeal to the Cathaoirleach and to the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, as the Government representative here tonight. We need not only a Private Members' motion tonight but a rolling debate in this House and in the Lower House on testing, routes, route development and the framework of a reasonable airport programme. I welcome the debate. I really hope we will see further targeted supports for our airports because that is what the workers and others involved in our airports deserve and need.