I refer to the devastating news that was delivered yesterday to 81 Aer Lingus cabin crew. The proposed move will have a devastating impact on the mid-west region. Connectivity is key to the recovery of the economy, for business and for tourism. Shannon Airport is a driver of economic activity in the mid-west region and it is a massive part of balanced regional development. The Government has dragged its feet on publishing a plan for the restoration of international air travel. It is critical that this plan is published as soon as possible and that the Taoiseach intervenes directly with Aer Lingus and asks it to reverse this decision. There is an opportunity here because Aer Lingus is in talks with the Government about a cash injection. It is crucial that we stitch into that deal that the Aer Lingus base in Shannon is protected, that the Shannon-New York and Shannon-Boston routes are protected-----

I thank the Deputy. The time is up.

-----and that the slots to Heathrow are protected for the next decade.

First of all, we will do everything we possibly can in terms of renewing international travel in as safe a way as we possibly can, both by participating in the European Union green digital certificate framework and in terms of bringing in supports for the aviation industry to enable particularly Shannon Airport and Cork Airport, and the airports generally, to incentivise and bring back travel at the levels that would sustain them into the future. We will also engage with the airlines. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, are meeting Aer Lingus today and I certainly will be engaging on this at the highest level also.