Joe Carey
Ceist:177. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on a review of national aviation policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42289/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 8 September 2022
Ceisteanna (177)
Freagraí scríofa
As previously outlined, officials in my department had started scoping work on a new National Aviation Policy (NAP) prior to the pandemic. Focus within the department was necessarily diverted to deal with the challenges arising from the pandemic, supporting recovery in the sector and, more recently, issues arising from 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 this scoping work before the end of 2022. In the meantime, the current National Aviation Policy which was published in 2015, continues to guide decision making. 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.
It is recognised that much has changed since 2015 in respect of the overall challenges for the aviation sector in Ireland. The scoping work on the development of a successor to the NAP will take into account the changed environment and challenges including meeting climate targets, supporting continued recovery in the sector and facilitating enhanced connectivity.