I propose to take Questions Nos. 845, 956 and 982 together.
My Department has maintained regular contact with key aviation stakeholders, including Aer Lingus, since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.
The Government has brought forward a series of measures to support all businesses impacted by COVID-19. These include the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Pandemic Unemployment Benefit, and the ISIF Pandemic Stabilisation and Recovery Fund for medium and large enterprises.
I understand that Aer Lingus is engaging with their employeees and representative bodies regarding the urgent requirement to reduce costs across its business, given the dramatic decline in demand for travel in the immediate term and the uncertainty regarding future travel demand.
Industrial relations are a matter for the airline and its employees and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has no role in relation to such matters. The industrial relations machinery of the State would be availabe to assist all parties reach agreement should the need arise.