Róisín Shortall
Ceist:144. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the status of each of the recommendations made by the Aviation Recovery Taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5937/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 3 February 2021
Ceisteanna (144)
Freagraí scríofa
The majority of the recommendations of the Aviation Recovery Taskforce have been implemented. The recommendations broadly ranged from measures to improve the safety of air travel, to rebuilding regional and international connectivity, and to making financial support measures available to the sector. The current course of COVID-19 means that the short-term prospects for aviation, across Europe and beyond, are bleak. International travel is reduced to only essential journeys, and in that context the aviation sector will be operating at very low levels of activity.
The Taskforce report was very much focused on how to aid recovery, and while now is not the time to stimulate and encourage recovery, the building blocks for recovery are being put in place for when the public health conditions support the gradual return of non-essential international air travel. Ireland adopted the EU’s traffic light system for international travel, which the Report called for, and this, together with the finalisation of Ireland’s National Protocol for Safe Air Travel, provided a comprehensive set of rules for international air travel based on clear public health advice.
A number of financial supports have been made available to the aviation industry, including meeting the Taskforce’s recommendations for the extension of the wage subsidy scheme and the provision of liquidity supports. The wage subsidy scheme has been extended into 2021, as has the waiver of commercial rates. Liquidity support for medium and large enterprises has been made available to all sectors, including the aviation sector, through the ISIF Pandemic Stabilisation and Recovery Fund.
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. My Department is currently engaging with the European Commission regarding formal approval of this package which will be implemented in line with EU State aid rules.
The scale of the challenges created by COVID-19 are better understood now than when the Taskforce reported. While the recommendations of the Taskforce do remain relevant, those relating to recovery and growth of air traffic can only be progressed at the appropriate time, in line with the easing of travel restrictions and improving wider epidemiological conditions.
My Department will forward a report to the Deputy in tabular format on the status of imlementation of each of the recommendations.