Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House to debate this important topic about aviation. Where I come from, in Limerick and in the mid-west region, aviation plays an important role. Airlines are very complex and need to be realistic with flexible plans in terms of reopening and getting back up and running. While passenger airlines are to the fore and will therefore be discussed a lot, I know that the leasing companies have been referred to. The Minister of State, Deputy Burke, was in Limerick this morning. We were in the Gardens International building where Nordic Aviation has its headquarters.That is right in the heart of Limerick city but it is only 15 km away from Shannon Airport. To survive and thrive in Covid-19, airlines will have to fundamentally rethink their fleets, the way they do things, refinancing and how they operate. I welcome, however, the Minister of State's announcement today with regard to antigen testing and also the increased funding coming down the line for both Cork and Shannon airports.

We have more than 50 years' experience in the aviation industry in terms of leasing and finance. I know there is more than $20 million of GDP in Ireland out of that industry alone and more than 100,000 people are affected. The Recover Irish Aviation campaign had a primary objective to advocate for the safe and responsible return of international aviation in line with international best practice. When we look at Aer Lingus, Stobart Air and Lufthansa, which have affected us in the mid-west region, our first thoughts are with the staff and the families. I believe, however, that the Aer Lingus announcement, the restructuring in Shannon Airport and the airport pay cut are only the start of things to come. I believe Aer Lingus is looking at the other airports.

I have much more that I would like to say. At our recent Ard Fheis, however, a motion was passed that recognised the importance of Shannon international airport to the national economy and to international connectivity, and the importance of the aviation sector in general to Ireland's rebound and post-Covid recovery. It called on the Government to support the sector and its workers. I know from the Minister of State's announcement today that this is basically what she is doing. The Heathrow Airport slots and the connectivity are really important to the region, however. Forty of the top companies use Shannon Airport for connectivity. I am sharing my time with Senator Cummins so I will say one or two final things. Basically, we need to recognise the importance of Shannon Airport, and Cork Airport in the west, to connectivity and businesses.