Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
62. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport when he intends to publish an updated national aviation policy; if he will outline the policy options being considered to deliver a more even distribution of air traffic between Irish airports in order to support the objective of balanced regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30746/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Chair will have an interest in this question. When does the Minister of State intend to publish an updated national aviation policy? Will she outline the policy options being considered to deliver a more even distribution of air traffic between Irish airports in order to support the objective of balanced regional development? Will she make a statement on the matter?
Before Covid-19, officials in my Department had commenced scoping work on a new national aviation policy. Unfortunately, that work has been on hold since 2020 for obvious reasons, that is, due to a focus on the detrimental impact of the pandemic. While we can now see the evidence that the recovery is under way, focus and resources have been diverted towards other objectives, including the terrible situation in Ukraine and the resultant restrictive measures that have been adopted in respect of the Russian Federation.
My Department hopes to resume work on a new national aviation policy before the end of 2022. Despite the delay in this work, however, the current national aviation policy, published in August 2015, continues to guide aviation policy. The principal goals of the policy are to enhance Ireland's connectivity, to foster the growth of aviation enterprise and to maximise the contribution of aviation to Ireland's sustainable economic growth and development.
Traditionally, Ireland has maintained a liberal aviation policy. That approach has served the country well. Before the pandemic, Ireland had air services to close to 200 destinations. While acknowledging that many of the objectives of the original national aviation policy remain valid, we also acknowledge that much has changed since 2015 in respect of the overall challenges for the aviation sector in Ireland, with a focus on continued recovery from the pandemic and a need to meet the decarbonisation goals necessary to achieve our climate ambitions.
The programme for Government acknowledges the value of aviation in supporting economic development, international connectivity and tourism and commits to delivering the capital programmes required to support services and to ensure safety at our State and regional airports. That is achieved primarily through the two schemes administered by my Department, namely the regional airports capital expenditure grant scheme and a core airport management operational expenditure subvention scheme. Those supports, along with the Covid-specific aviation supports provided, have ensured that our airports are well positioned in stimulating their recovery from the effects of the pandemic. Recent statistics indicate that, in respect of regional airport performance, smaller airports are closer to their 2019 scheduled seat capacity levels.
A number of members of the transport committee are here. Aviation has been a particular focus of our committee right throughout this period, since the committee was established under this Dáil, whether during Covid or, more recently, in respect of the issues at Dublin Airport. We are undertaking a series of visits to a number of our airports. We have been at Dublin and Shannon airports and are due to visit Cork Airport, although I have already been there with my colleague, Deputy Ó Laoghaire. We hear about the challenge to deliver a more balanced throughput of traffic. Dublin Airport has advantages, of course. I live 20 minutes away from the airport. It will continue to be the national airport.
What policy levers are being considered? We know we have a liberal market, but what levers does the Minister of State have at her disposal? There are international examples. The Netherlands has achieved something. Are there lessons to be learnt from there, or what is being considered? Is it a priority of the Government to ensure a more balanced regional distribution of air traffic?
As for our current policy, the levers I have are through the regional airports programme. Under that programme, which runs from 2021 to 2025, €11.6 million in capital and operational supports was provided in 2021 alone to eligible airports, that is, Ireland West Airport Knock, Kerry Airport and Donegal Airport. There is also support for the public service obligation, PSO, services between Donegal and Dublin. In addition, the Government has provided funding for Shannon and Cork airports, as the Deputy will know, with more than €28 million in capital and operational supports in 2021 under the Covid-19 regional State airports programme. It is important to state also that there will be widespread consultation on our new aviation policy.
The Deputy is a member of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications. That committee will have a very important role to play in stakeholder engagement and as to what our new aviation policy will be like as we come out of the pandemic. The Deputy can be assured of my commitment to our regional airports, ensuring that they are supported and funded and that Ireland Inc. is connected from a regional point of view and an international point of view. This is a really good time, coming out of the pandemic, to look at our national aviation policy, and our regional connectivity will play a key part in that.
We are constrained by state aid rules. The lack of State influence in Aer Lingus is a limitation. It is not one my party supported but it is one we have to live with. The transport committee continues to meet with representatives of regional airports. Members of the committee make the case that we want to hear from them and that they need to engage with the review of the national aviation policy. It is important that there are stated commitments and objectives in respect of that policy to seek to maximise the opportunity because there is so much that is consistent with what I believe are trends in respect of emissions, carbon footprint, regional development, regional balance and working from home. It just makes absolute sense to tweak and recalibrate, and to ensure there is a balance within the system in a way that there is not at the moment. We are an outlier in the context of our balance. We need to get to the bottom of why that is the case and work to address it. The Department will have the support of my party if that is the road it travels.
To give an idea of the policy areas that were identified in the scoping exercise in 2020, the themes included: international context and connectivity; safety and security; infrastructure, operations and enterprise; and sustainability and climate. Aspects for consideration included defining optimal connectivity and looking at how to shape a future direction for both State and regional airports, looking specifically at how best they support the economic and social benefits of the regions they serve.
It is also important to state as well that the operation of air services to, from and between airports remains a commercial decision for air carriers and our airports. That is something that I was very strong on even during the pandemic, when we did not have international travel but where I wanted to give funding directly to the airports so that they could negotiate directly with airlines in order to attract connectivity to the regions. It is important to say that these will be commercial decisions made by airlines. They will go to the airports which make viable and commercial sense for them also.
