Written Answers Nos. 380-407
380. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the engagement he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive in furthering cross-Border infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1846/21]
View answerThe Irish Government’s commitments under the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement include working through the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) to help deliver infrastructure projects that will benefit people across the island, to achieve greater connectivity, North and South, and investing in the North West region and in Border Communities.
These commitments are reflected in the Shared Island chapter of our Programme for Government, ensuring their delivery is at the heart of the work of this Government. Specifically, the Government has recommitted to the funding of £75 million over the next three years for the A5 project and agreed the launch of restoration work on phase 2 of the Ulster Canal project, including with the support of €6 million from the Shared Island Fund. Work on a strategic review of the rail network on the Island of Ireland and the review to explore the potential for re-establishing viable air routes is advancing, and the Narrow Water bridge and cross-border Greenways continue to be a key priorities.
Progressing these projects is the primary focus of my discussions with Minister Nichola Mallon, MLA at both the NSMC Plenary (31 July and 18 December 2020) and Transport Sectoral (7 October 2020) formations. I have also had direct bilateral engagement with Minister MaIlon after the aforementioned Plenary meetings and on 25 September 2020 and 27 January 2021, respectively. My Department is also in regular contact with the Department for Infrastructure, Northern Ireland in order to progress the transport infrastructure projects that fall under NDNA.
I look forward to continuing this engagement with Minister Mallon at the next NSMC Transport Sectoral meeting which is schedeuled for 16 April 2021.
381. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the position on the provision of a ring road in Tipperary town (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1353/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this road project, pending also the Government's proposed review of the NDP.
The strategic transport issues for national roads are being considered in the context of the ongoing review of the nationwide NDP. As part of this review for national roads, I am focused on how to help achieve compact growth, removal of congestion within our towns, and decarbonisation, among other objectives. Several towns, including Tipperary town, will be considered in this light.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
382. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the position on the delays being experienced by essential workers who have applied to sit a driving test (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1354/21]
View answerUnder Covid19 Level 5 Government restrictions, candidates can attend their scheduled driving test appointment provided they are involved in the provision of essential services or essential retail outlets. Details on what is included in the list of essential workers and retail outlets can be found at www.gov.ie
The Road Safety Authority has advised it has set up a dedicated webform for essential workers at https://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Request-an-urgent-driving-test/. This webform will allow customers to assess whether they qualify for an urgent test appointment and if so, to submit an application for same. If the applicant’s request is accepted, they will be placed on a short notice list and may be called for a test with as little as one days’ notice.
Because the RSA can only test essential workers at this time, there is currently surplus capacity in the system. Any essential worker, within the terms of the public health regulations, who applies for a test should not encounter any undue delays in obtaining an appointment.
383. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the discussions he has had with local authorities on the development of cycling infrastructure across Dublin in particular without a statutory public consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38402/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future sets out an ambitious and wide-ranging set of commitments in relation to walking and cycling, supported by an increased multi-annual budgetary allocation amounting to some €1.8 billion over the planned lifetime of the Government.
I held meetings with the four Dublin local authorities in recent months. The purpose of those meetings was to discuss Government’s ambition in the area of active travel and the important role of local authorities in delivering upon that ambition. Issues regarding delivery of projects, including any consultations related thereto, are a matter for the relevant local authority.
384. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Transport when a person (details supplied) will be issued a date for their driver theory test; if there is an option for them to sit the test remotely; and the length of time it will take to process the backlog of theory tests once level 5 restrictions are lifted. [15682/21]
View answerThe scheduling of candidates’ driving theory tests is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have no information on individual cases.
The Driver Theory Test has not been deemed to be an essential service under Level 5 restrictions. The service will remain closed while level 5 restrictions remain in place. While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses, I must emphasise, that this decision has been taken in line with official public health recommendations that everyone in Ireland work to limit the spread of the virus by staying at home in so far as is possible and minimising social contacts.
The RSA is engaging with its service provider to examine ways of increasing the number of tests within the current health constraints for when services resume. In this regard, the aim is to double capacity at test centres over a three-month period. Subject to decisions on future Covid 19 restrictions, this will mean that additional capacity would be made available in April, May and June 2021.
Normal capacity before the pandemic was approximately 15,000 tests per month. When the service reopened in July 2020, this was increased to 25,000 to deal with the backlog which had developed by that point. Based on the capacity of 25,000 tests per month, the aim is to provide an additional 25,000 tests per month on top of this for the first 3 months of reopening, or a total of 75,000 extra test appointments over the three-month period. This would make substantial inroads into numbers waiting over that time period.
In addition to the increased capacity initiative, the RSA is working to deliver an online driver theory test service. The online service has been trialled on a pilot basis for those taking a theory test for trucks and buses and is now being evaluated with a view to extending the online service to all test types during 2021. However, scaling up operations to facilitate higher numbers will take time to achieve.
385. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide statistics for road deaths (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15691/21]
View answerProvisional data gathered by An Garda Síochána and published by the Road Safety Authority point to a total of 132 road fatalities in the 12 month period from the beginning of March 2020 to the end of February 2021.
These figures show a decrease as compared to the equivalent 12 month period immediately prior to the imposition of public health restrictions, whereby a total of 140 road fatalities were recorded between the beginning of March 2019 to the end of February 2020. The closure of licensed premises as a result of these restrictions is but one of a number of complex factors that may have contributed to the overall reduction in deaths.
I remind the Deputy that both sets of figures are strictly provisional and remain subject to adjustment.
386. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the engagements of his Departmental officials with Transport Infrastructure Ireland on planning and road opening licences for the roll-out of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15708/21]
View answerMy Department has not been involved in detailed discussions relating to the roll-out of the broadband plan but is aware that there is significant engagement between the Local Government Management Agency and National Broadband Ireland.
More generally, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has participated, along with my Department, in the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Implementation Group since the inception of the Taskforce in 2016. In that time TII has undertaken a number of actions to enhance the use and availability of its motorway ducting to telecoms operators. This included the installation of ducting on sections of motorway where no ducting previously existed (in most cases due to the fact that the motorways had been constructed prior to the decision to install ducting as a general design provision on motorways). The installation of ducting in gap sections has ensured the availability of continuous ducting on the M7 between Kildare and Limerick and on the M8 between Portlaoise and Cork.
As an action from its involvement in the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskgroup, TII has also upgraded its standards to provide for the installation of ducting in the verges of all new road schemes – not only motorway sections.
387. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the action taken to prevent the use of drones to record and broadcast race meetings here during the Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15726/21]
View answerThe Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is the competent authority in relation to aviation safety regulation, including for drones. The IAA is aware of ongoing issues at certain racecourses in relation to drone activity and has indicated that, if it is notified of such issues, an IAA inspector can be present at the race meeting to coordinate with An Garda Síochána concerning intervention from an aviation safety perspective if required.
388. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport the number of registered driving instructors that are registered with the Road Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15740/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct response. I would ask that he contact my Department if no reply is received within ten working days.
390. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if an effort can be made to renew urgently driving licences for those whose licences have expired and who due to Covid-19-related delays cannot get a prompt renewal but require a valid licence for driving internationally for work. [15782/21]
View answerA further extension to the expiry dates of driving licences was introduced from March, following the new revision to the relevant EU legislation, which was made in response to the continued disruption caused by Covid-19 to driver licensing services in Ireland and across the EU.
The extension will apply to different groups of licence holders, including those who benefited from extensions in 2020, as follows:
- Any licence holder, who has not already renewed, and whose licence expired between 1 March 2020 and 31 May 2020 will have a new expiry date of 1 July 2021.
- Any licence holder, who has not already renewed, and whose licence expired between 1 June 2020 and 31 August 2020 will have thirteen months (which includes the previous extension) added to their expiry date. By way of example a licence which expired on 31 August 2020 will have a new expiry date of 30 September 2021.
- Any licence holder, who has not already renewed and whose licence expiry date is between 1 September 2020 and 30 June 2021 will have an extra ten months added to their expiry date. By way of example a licence which expires on 30 June 2021 will have a new expiry date of 30 April 2022.
Drivers who are affected by the extension are encouraged to check the new expiry date of their driving licence by using the expiry date calculator on www.ndls.ie.
391. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if a person (details supplied) will be permitted to renew their licence as a matter of priority in view of the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15813/21]
View answerThe recent extensions to the validity of driving licences was granted under EU Regulation 2021/267 and are recognised across all EU Member States.
A driving licence can not be renewed more than 3 months before the date of expiry of the licence. A licence due to expire in June 2021 will now have a new expiry date in April 2022.
392. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if the record of a motor vehicle that was exported (details supplied) will be updated by the driver and vehicle computer services division, Shannon, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15816/21]
View answerMy Department through the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) maintains a record of the ‘registered owners’ of motor vehicles. Where a vehicle is being exported out of the State and being registered in another country, the owner is required to notify the Department of same and the vehicle is marked as exported on the NVDF. The records on the NVDF show that no such notification was received by the Department.
Notwithstanding the above, my officials have engaged with the individual concerned as regards supporting documentation of the registration of the vehicle in the other State. I understand that the matter has been addressed to the vehicle owners satisfaction
393. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the level of intervention he will take in respect of State airports in the context of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic; and his plans to introduce a further round of financial assistance to State airports in 2021-22 in view of the real possibility that inward and outbound air travel may not be possible again in 2021. [15862/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, from early in the Covid crisis, the Government put in place a broad range of unprecedented supports to help mitigate the effects of the pandemic on business, including a wage subsidy scheme, grants, low-cost loans, a commercial rates waiver and deferred tax liabilities. Irish airlines and airports have availed of over €200 million through these supports and some of these schemes have been extended until the end of June. Our State airports at Dublin, Cork and Shannon are availing of these supports.
In addition, in recognition of the very difficult circumstances being faced by airports and taking account of the recommendations of the Taskforce for Aviation Recovery, the Government announced an €80 million funding package specifically for Irish aviation in November, 2020, which includes funding for State airports in 2021.
As part of that package, €32.1 million has been allocated to a new Covid-19 Regional State Airports Programme. The State airports that will benefit from this funding are Cork and Shannon. My Department is currently reviewing applications for capital supports under this Programme and I expect recommendations for funding to be submitted to me for consideration shortly. Cork and Shannon Airports will also be invited to apply for operational supports under this Programme, later in the year.
In addition to funding under the Covid-19 Regional State Airports Programme 2021, my Department has also developed supplementary support schemes to help address liquidity issues at airports as a result of Covid-19.
These new schemes, for which a budget of €26 million has been allocated in 2021, were State aid approved by the European Commission on 24 February.
One of these schemes, with a budget of approximately €20 million, has been designed specifically to help compensate State airports for damage caused by Covid-19 in 2020. The Scheme will provide the airports with the flexibility to roll out route incentives/charge rebates, in consultation with airlines, with a view to supporting recovery and growth of connectivity when circumstances allow. State airports will be invited to apply for funding under this scheme shortly.
It cannot be excluded that further targeted supports may be required, particularly in the event that restrictions on travel remain in place throughout the forthcoming summer season and Government will continue to monitor the situation in this regard.
394. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the level of intervention he will take in respect of airlines in the context of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic; and if he plans to offer a financial assistance package to carriers. [15863/21]
View answerThe Government has put in place a range of supports for businesses, including those in the aviation sector. The supports include the wage subsidy scheme, alleviation of commercial rates, deferral of tax liabilities, the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme, the Credit Guarantee Scheme, and the SBCI Working Capital Scheme.
As regards supports specifically targeted at the protection of employment, the Employment Wage Subsidy Schemes (EWSS) has been a key component of the Government's response to the COVID-19 crisis to support viable firms and encourage employment amid these very challenging times and has been extended to the end of June 2021.
In November 2020, the Government also agreed a revised €80 million funding package specifically for Irish aviation in recognition of the very difficult circumstances facing the sector. The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €26 million Irish aid scheme to compensate airport operators for the losses caused by the coronavirus outbreak. The aid consists of three measures: a damage compensation measure; an aid measure to support the airport operators up to a maximum of €1.8 million per beneficiary; and an aid measure to support the uncovered fixed costs of these companies. The aid will take the form of direct grants.
The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), part of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), has invested €150 million in debt funding in Aer Lingus. This is being made from ISIF’s €2 billion Pandemic Stabilisation and Recovery Fund (PSRF), which was established in 2020 as a key support for medium and large Irish employers whose businesses have been affected by COVID-19. This funding, finalised in Q4 2020, is a three-year debt facility that will strengthen the airline’s liquidity position and is designed to complement the ongoing investment in the airline by its parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG).
It remains open to airlines to engage directly with the relevant agencies concerned with a view to drawing down supports, and the amount of any such funding sought would be a commercial matter for the airlines concerned.
Any additional supports designed to facilitate growth of air traffic can only be progressed at the appropriate time, taking account of the outlook for the easing of travel restrictions and improving wider epidemiological conditions.
I will continue to monitor the financial impact of COVID-19 on the Irish aviation sector on an ongoing basis in consultation with relevant Government Ministers and all key stakeholders.
395. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he will encourage the modernisation of rail transport infrastructure by ensuring long-term investment to meet the rail transport needs of the public into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15877/21]
View answer396. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he continues to examine disused railway infrastructure such as tracks and stations with a view to their restoration for transport while acknowledging the development of greenways at such locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15878/21]
View answer407. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if adequate provision can be made to upgrade rail stations in order to cater for increased passenger numbers in the context of the review of the current national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15889/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 395, 396 and 407 together.
As the Deputy may be aware the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) provides the funding framework for the maintenance and renewal of our railway infrastructure.
Approximately €202million of investment will occur this year in the protection and renewal of the network's infrastructure as part of the current €1billion 5-year IMMAC programme which will increase service reliability and punctuality, improves journey times and ensures continued safety of rail services.
Additional funding was also allocated to allow for track improvements on the Dublin – Cork line and to accelerate the lift/escalator replacement programme, which improves rail stations and the accessibility of the network generally.
With regard to disused rail lines, I am informed that Iarnród Éireann’s policy, which aligns with Government policy, is to make rail alignments available for Greenways where there is no realistic medium term prospect of an alignment being required for rail use.
399. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he expects public transport to play a major role in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15881/21]
View answer401. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the general public have availed of rail transport services as an option over the past ten years to date; his plans to ensure increased and continued use in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15883/21]
View answer402. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the public and private transport sectors co-operate in order to provide adequate and convenient transport to the public in both urban and rural settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15884/21]
View answer404. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport his pans to enhance rural transport throughout County Kildare with particular reference to linkages between the public and private sectors and the introduction of new services to include any areas, urban or rural, not served by existing areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15886/21]
View answer406. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the degree to which the commuter towns of north County Kildare can expect improved rail and bus services in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15888/21]
View answer408. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the number of railway carriages currently in use throughout the north County Kildare commuter routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15890/21]
View answer409. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he expects to ensure that the maximum number of rail passengers can be seated for health and safety purposes, personal comfort and convenience on rail services serving Leixlip, Maynooth, Kilcock, Hazelhatch and Sallins, County Kildare; the extent of his plans for any proposed upgrading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15891/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 399, 401, 402, 404, 406, 408 and 409 together.
As the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
From a policy perspective, there is a need for a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland and the Programme for Government, 'Our Shared Future', commits to making public transport and active travel better and more accessible.
The Deputy will probably be aware that my Department has already been undertaking a review of sustainable mobility policy, which incorporates a review of public transport in rural areas. In this context the Department held a public consultation process between November 2019 and February 2020, and included a stakeholder event in the course of that consultation. Over 250 submissions were received as part of this public consultation process and I published a report of the public consultation.
I intend to develop a new policy framework for the next 10 years that can provide a strategic backdrop to the increased investment planned by this Government across the sustainable mobility programme. The new policy statement will be informed by the review of the previous policy framework (known as Smarter Travel), submissions received during my Department's consultation process and the views and recommendations of other relevant stakeholders. It will provide a platform to advance the ambitions of the Programme for Government in the area of sustainable mobility, including active travel, and will replace the previous Smarter Travel policy, dating from 2009.
Our Programme for Government commitments in relation to public transport in rural areas will be progressed in the context of that new policy statement. Among the measures we will prioritise is a Sustainable Rural Mobility Plan to ensure settlements over a certain size can connect to the national public transport system, expanding the Local Link rural transport service and prioritising public transport projects that enhance regional and rural connectivity.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has responsibility for local and rural transport, including the management of Local Link services. The NTA has undertaken a nationwide study to inform its approach to rolling out improved public transport across the country (excluding the GDA, Regional Cities and Large Towns) by providing better connections between villages and towns by linking them with an enhanced regional network connecting cities and regional centres nationwide.
Arising from this study, I am advised that the NTA has now completed the first phase of consultation on its proposals, titled 'Connecting Ireland', with all Local Authorities and is now engaging with Regional Authorities and other key stakeholders. This will be followed by a wider public consultation in Q3 2021 prior to finalisation of the proposals by the NTA and submission to my Department.
The Covid-19 health emergency has had a profound and swift shock to the public transport sector. Public transport’s designation as an essential service throughout the pandemic means, that although fare revenues have collapsed, most of the cost of operations remains and must continue to be met in order to fulfil Government’s broader policy objectives.
Several targeted Government Decisions made throughout the crisis, in addition to general supports such as the wage subsidy scheme, have provided much needed support to the sector, particularly the decisions to:
- substantially increase the 2020 budget for the existing PSO system;
- introduce temporary financial support for certain licensed services provided by commercial bus operators (CBOs) for an initial period of 6-months;
- provide a higher-than-normal provision for PSO funding in the 2021 budget due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on the public transport sector; and
- extend the provision of temporary funding supports for the CBOs for a further 3 months, with the option to extend monthly thereafter subject to engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Government support for all public transport services in 2020 amounted to over €620m. For 2021 over €670m has been provided in funding in order to ensure that the existing level of public transport services, albeit at a higher cost, continue to operate in a safe manner. By comparison, the level of PSO and Local Link funding provided in 2019 was in the region of €300m.
Prior to the Covid-19 health emergency, licensed operators operated non-subvented bus services on a commercial basis. However, due to the impact of Covid-19 on passenger numbers and the associated drop in fare revenue, these services were no longer commercially viable. As such, on 25 June 2020 Government decided to introduce new temporary financial support for certain licensed services provided by commercial bus operators to ensure the continued operation of these essential services.
These temporary supports were initially introduced for a period of 6-months, with a view to protecting capacity across the public transport sector throughout the crisis. The NTA on behalf of my Department, has entered into contracts with the licensed bus sector to provide funding for routes where a clear public interest justification supports such intervention.
As it remains the case that commercial bus operators are still under severe financial distress due to the fall in passenger numbers and associated drop in fare revenue as a result of Covid-19, Government decided on 26 January 2021 to extend the temporary funding supports to the licensed bus sector for a further period of 3 months, with an option to extend contracts on a monthly basis thereafter.
With regard to the possible enhancement of rural transport throughout County Kildare and the Deputy’s various queries in relation to enhanced bus and rail services, given the NTA's statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
400. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if adequate consideration has been given to the provision of adequate parking adjacent to railway stations with a view to ensuring the availability and convenience of rail services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15882/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The provision of parking adjacent to railway stations throughout the network would be a matter for Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) in the first instance. In the GDA, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and provides funding to IÉ for such infrastructure as referenced by the Deputy.
Noting the responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to both IÉ and the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
405. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the post-Covid-19 restoration of air passenger and cargo transport has been examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15887/21]
View answerThe Irish aviation sector is critical to economic development by providing a key enabler of international trade and business, including foreign direct investment and tourism. For this reason, aviation policy has for decades placed a priority on international connectivity.
The Irish aviation sector is currently experiencing its most challenging crisis in its history. Many analysts are predicting that it will take several years for the sector to return to 2019 levels of activity. Traffic in 2020 was down around 80% on 2019, and revenue has fallen away dramatically as COVID-19 related restrictions on international travel continue to heavily constrain passenger traffic. All service providers in the industry, apart from those substantially or exclusively dedicated to air cargo, have had no option but to radically address their cost base and seek to safeguard liquidity. Alongside rationalisation measures, the major service providers are shoring up their finances through increased borrowings or raising new capital.
There have been a steadily increasing number of protocols, restrictions, and requirements regarding international travel, which have developed and evolved as the pandemic has progressed with the objective of limiting the spread of COVID-19.
The National Civil Aviation Development Forum (NCADF) was established in February 2016, bringing together senior stakeholders in the aviation industry, mostly at chief executive level, to focus on a strategy to enhance the competitiveness of Irish aviation and develop opportunities for growth across the industry value chain including, but going beyond, the core airport and airline services.
On 5 March 2021, a special meeting of the Steering Committee of the NCADF was convened, under the joint chairmanship of Minster Ryan and myself, to provide an opportunity for members of the Committee, together with some other senior leaders from Irish aviation, to air views on the recovery of the sector.
It is clear there is a need to develop a plan for the reopening of international travel as soon as circumstances allow and the NCADF has agreed to bring forward industry views on this.
Proposals for a plan on the restart and recovery of the Irish aviation sector will be brought forward for Government consideration when the time is right taking account of public health advice of the Department of Health, the views of the NCADF and developments at EU and international level.
