Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. I endorse what Senator Timmy Dooley has said. It is imperative and incumbent upon the Government to ensure we maintain connectivity as an island nation. It is time for a real hands-on approach from the Government to engage with an all-embracing travel and aviation sector, and that includes the airlines, the airports, the staff, the travel agents, hospitality and tourism. This is not just about Senator Dooley and I looking to protect Cork and Shannon airports and the staff, who have taken gargantuan hits already and who have made huge sacrifices and changes. This is about us, as an island nation on the periphery of Europe, yet at the heart of Europe. It is what we must do. We must take on board what Senator Dooley said in the context of the Covid-19 travel certificate. The Cathaoirleach is from Kerry. It is also about going to America and reopening and re-engaging transatlantic routes. We have the most conservative travel restrictions in the world.We could spend the entire day debating this Commencement matter. It is about jobs, foreign direct investment and a compendium of travel, industry, aviation and business. More important, it is about people's livelihoods. I hope that in the near future, we can have a bigger and wider debate on the aviation sector.