Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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89. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the Taskforce for Aviation Recovery report; his plans to implement the recommendations of the report; when a stimulus package for Shannon Airport will be put in place to encourage the rebuilding of traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17806/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I wish to acknowledge the work of the Taskforce for Aviation Recovery, whose members gave up their time and worked quickly over the course of a short number of weeks to highlight the challenges faced by the aviation industry in Ireland and to make recommendations aimed at meeting those challenges. We are all in agreement that the aviation industry is crucial to Ireland's long term economic wellbeing, and it will have a very important role to play in our economic recovery. As the Report confirms, aviation is a large employer in Ireland, is an key enabler of our tourism sector and the global connectivity it provides underpins our position as a small island economy trading successfully on the global stage.

The Report contains a number of recommendations aimed at job retention, route supports and supports for our airports, including Shannon Airport. All of these are being examined and will be considered in the context of the Government's plans to aid broader economic recovery. I am conscious of the importance of developing measures that get the sector back on its feet as soon as possible, in a safe and sustainable manner.

I know that Shannon Group has been severely impacted by the economic impacts of COVID-19, and the Group has asked for a range of supports from Government to help mitigate the impact of the crisis on both Shannon Airport and Shannon Heritage. The Deputy may be aware that Government only recently approved the provision of €6.1m in emergency grant funding to enable Shannon Airport complete its Hold Baggage Screening project.

I met with the Shannon Group CEO recently, and I am fully aware of the challenges faced by Shannon Airport and Shannon Heritage. Minister of State Naughton also met with the Chairperson and CEO in recent days and assured them of her ongoing support for Shannon. It is our intention that the Company will be well positioned operationally to contribute to the post-pandemic recovery, particularly given the importance of Shannon Airport to the economy of the Midwest and Western regions.