Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 July 2020
118. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the recommendations by the aviation taskforce; his plans to implement the recommendations of same; if there is a deadline by which the decision must be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19390/20]
View answerThe Taskforce for Aviation Recovery’s Final Report, which is available on the Gov.ie web site, contains a number of recommendations on how to support Irish aviation, which has been badly affected by the almost complete shutdown of international air travel.
The recommendations include measures to sustain the industry for so long as travel restrictions are in place and also measures to help stimulate a return to growth, when the time is right. The Government has already implemented some of the recommendations, including the publication of safe air travel protocols and provisions in the recently announced July Stimulus Policy Initiative for a new employee wage subsidy scheme - which will run to April 2021 - and a €2 billion Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme.
The other recommendations, including further targeted financial supports to help reinstate connectivity, are being examined by my Department. Work is required to develop these recommendations into effective interventions, and that work is underway. It will feed into the Government’s further plans to aid broader economic recovery – including in the aviation sector.
