Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join others in sympathising with the Hoey family on a very sad loss.

I ask the Acting Leader for a debate on aviation as a matter of urgency. As the Acting Leader will know, all airports must be, and should be, treated fairly and proportionately. Given that the Government is looking at putting in place an incentivisation fund to assist airlines in restoring routes, it is important that in that hierarchy of routes, as the Tánaiste said yesterday, Cork Airport, which is the second busiest airport in the country, is not treated unfairly or put at a disadvantage in terms of state aid or state support. If other airports are to benefit, Cork Airport should also benefit. It must be treated to the same equity in the context of financial incentivisation to restore connectivity on a proportional basis. Cork Airport is the second busiest airport in the country and must get its fair share of Government support. I ask the Acting Leader to have that debate as soon as possible. In fact, I suggest and hope it could be done next week, ahead of the budget. As the Acting Leader knows, routes are already being planned for next summer. The summer season will begin in April of next year and it is incumbent on us to ensure we have as many aircraft bases in Ireland as possible.

I also ask, in the context of aviation, for a debate on the issue of work practices in the Irish Aviation Authority. Many of us have received reports from employees of the authority. I ask that we have a debate on the matter. It is important that we plan for next summer and support our aviation sector, and that is why this debate is timely.