Oireachtas Committee to discuss international travel and public transport

TDs will hear from representatives from the aviation, bus, rail and taxi sectors, and officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, at three sessions during the day.

• Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA), President Evan Cullen and SIPTU, Aviation Sector Organiser Neil McGowan will appear before the Committee at 9.30am.
• National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), General Secretary Dermot O’Leary, Jim Waldron from the National Private Hire and Taxi Association and Gerry Macken from the Taxi Alliance of Ireland, will appear before the Committee at 12pm.
• Officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport will appear before the Committee at 2.30pm.

Speaking before the meeting, Committee chairman, Michael McNamara TD said: “Flight and passenger numbers have plummeted as a result of the pandemic. Tomorrow, is our first opportunity to focus on the aviation industry; get the reaction of workers’ representatives to the recently published green list, the 14 day self-isolation requirement for passengers and the impact of social distancing. Next week we will hear from Dublin and Shannon Airports, and Ryanair and Aer Lingus management.

“The Committee will focus on the taxi industry and its members, and bus and rail, as demand for services grow under the new reality. We will welcome officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to examine and get information on plans to relaunch and rebuild the aviation industry and other vital transport services for the public.

“With the announcement of the July Stimulus Package the Committee also looks forward to hearing the views of the transport industry on the measures being proposed to boost the economy and the impact these measures will have on the transport sector.”

The witnesses will appear in the Seanad Chamber and by video link from Committee Room 2.

Watch the Committee live here.