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

I might respond very briefly. Senators have raised the issue of membership of the DAA and, although the Bill does not set DAA membership, I take their comments on board. Section 17 sets the membership of AirNav. Its text is repeated from the existing Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 - as it currently applies to the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, it will now apply to the proposed Irish Air Navigation Service, IANS. The section deals with the articles of association of the IANS.

On regional connectivity and regional airports, I reiterate that it is a priority of the Government that we support the regions. We have shown that. The policy on regional airports has been influenced by the need to optimise the conditions of regional development and connectivity. Our airports are critical in facilitating that international access. The Government is acutely aware of how the regions have suffered during this crisis. That is why we have put in place targeted measures for the regions. For that reason, approximately 78% of a budget of €80 million in 2021 is being targeted at regional airports, with Cork and Shannon airports receiving approximately 43% of that overall budget. Balanced regional development is at the heart of the programme for Government and we recognise that all parts of Ireland have to prosper. I take the individual Senators' points on board.