Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
253. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 334 of 21 April 2021, if he has engaged with airlines in relation to routine mass testing for cabin crew and pilots, not for the purpose of a pre-departure test requirement but for the purpose of ensuring the safety and good health of cabin crew and pilots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22227/21]
View answerAs previously advised to the Deputy, my Department through the National Air Transport Facilitation Committee (NATFaC) developed the COVID 19 Air Travel Protocol. This protocol was developed in consultation with the public health authorities and with industry. These measures, which are now being implemented, set out the expectations and requirements for the industry to ensure public health safety of passengers, staff and crew.
The "Work Safely Protocol" published by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment incorporates the current advice of the Public Health measures needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community and workplaces as issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), the Department of Health and Government.
This Protocol requires that employers "implement any COVID-19 testing that may be required as part of mass or serial testing requirements as advised by Public Health." My Department has not been made aware of any mass or serial testing issues raised with any of our airlines by the Public Health Authorities.
As such it would not appear that the course of action proposed by the Deputy is necessary. It is of course open to individual employers to introduce additional measurs for the safety of staff if they so choose.
