Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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334. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has engaged with airlines in relation to PCR testing for cabin crew and pilots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18813/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Throughout the pandemic I and officials in my Department have been engaging with airlines, airports and other stakeholders in the aviation sector.

My Department through the National Air Transport Facilitation Committee (NATFaC) developed the Air Travel Protocol. The sectoral protocols were developed in consultation with the public health authorities and with industry, who are already implementing the measures.

The protocols set out the expectations and requirements on industry to ensure public health safety of passengers, staff and crew.

As Government have developed additional measures in relation to international such as, passenger locator form, evidence of a not detected RT-PCR test pre-departure, mandatory home quarantine and mandatory quarantine at a designated facility, aircrew have always been exempt.

This is in line with the EU recommendations on the implementation of the 'Green Lanes' guidance for border management to ensure the continued availability of essential goods and services.