Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will apply sanctions on airline and ferry companies that fail to verify inbound passengers are in receipt of a valid professional antigen test; and the way in which he will enforce this rule. [60300/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant business impact on carriers. Throughout the pandemic they have kept chains open to ensure vital supplies such as vaccines were delivered to this country. Carriers have been dealing with rapidly changing rules and regulations for many different countries throughout the world, checking multiple non-standard documents. In view of this I do not believe sanctions would be workable or welcome.

Currently carriers are obliged to check passengers have completed an electronic Passenger Locator Form and, unless exempt, have a negative/non-detected test result. Carriers have been very cooperative and passengers are being denied boarding if they cannot provide the required documentation. Passengers may also be subject to checking on arrival by border management, where penalties for non-compliance may be applied.