Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response. This issue is mainly with regard to Dublin Airport and what is happening there. I will be speaking to the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, about this. This is an opportune time for the Government. We have to put in place a plan, whether it be a five-point plan or another type of plan, to develop regional balance for flights. The Minister of State, the Minister and their teams need to sit down with representatives from all of the airports. They need to look at the various routes available. They have to take routes from Dublin Airport and give them to the other airports. It may not happen in the short term but in the long term this needs to happen. This is obvious from what we saw last Sunday.

We need to put in place proper regional balance to encourage people and to support those airports that need support. Airlines such as Aer Lingus and Ryanair need to be given incentives to give people flights at competitive rates. We also need to provide connectivity from the regional airports. We need business connectivity to Europe and Heathrow. Some routes at regional airports have flights only two or three times a week. They need to be daily.