Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The passenger experience at Dublin Airport is falling far short of the service our citizens and visitors should expect at our largest State airport. The Government recognises the undue stress these unacceptable delays are having on passengers. It is like a perfect storm. People have not been able to holiday abroad for the past two and a half years. We have seen similar pressures in the Passport Office. People want to enjoy a holiday if they can at all. Some people are travelling for work. Some people are travelling because of a family bereavement and they have no choice.

The Minister and the Minister of State are working extremely hard to make sure what happened last Sunday will not be replicated. The challenges faced by the DAA at the airport are expected to continue until the end of June when all new recruits are expected to be in place and trained. The Minister, Deputy Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, will continue to engage with Dublin Airport Authority on a daily basis to ensure all that can be done is being done for passengers using Dublin Airport. I will certainly bring back the Senator's comments. I agree with them wholeheartedly. There is an opportunity to grow and develop regional airports, as we have already said. It is something that should be looked at as soon as possible. There is no point having a pinch point in one area when there is capacity in others. Pricing will have to be taken into account. It is very important that we acknowledge the busy staff who worked in the airport last Sunday and over the weekend.