Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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113. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans of his Department for a regional aviation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30652/22]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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360. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the national aviation policy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30988/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 113 and 360 together.

As I outlined earlier to the House, my department began scoping work on a revised version of the full National Aviation Policy in early 2020. At that time initial consideration was given to the themes that should be explored in such a new policy. While not fully settled, included for consideration were issues such as sustainability, connectivity, infrastructure and operations. Regrettably with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic this work was paused as there was an immediate need to focus on ensuring that the aviation sector could survive the crisis.

No-one could have predicted how long the pandemic would last, and just as the industry began to emerge from the worst of the crisis, we found ourselves faced with a crisis of a different kind in the form of the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

My department fully intends to resume work on a full National Aviation Policy within the next six months. Obviously there are many different challenges now facing the industry which will need to be given appropriate attention. I have outlined some of these already, but it is important to restate again the unprecedented challenge to decarbonise that the industry is facing, including the obligations that arise from the various measures under the Fit for 55 package. All of these issues will be assessed.

As I stated earlier, there are many elements of the existing National Aviation Policy which remain relevant. One issue that was highlighted during the preparation of that policy is that our airport network is extensive for a small country with a population of approximately 5 million, which represents a challenge for individual airports in a limited market. I have already mentioned some of the measures that are in place to ensure that our regional airports are equipped to facilitate and attract air services from operators such as the new Regional Airports Programme 2021 to 2025 which was published by my Department last year and supports Ireland's smallest airports.

Once work has resumed on the policy, the process will include a comprehensive public consultation as well as close engagement with the aviation industry, likely through the structures of the National Civil Aviation Development Forum.