The Tánaiste will be aware of the number of Aer Lingus flights from Dublin Airport that have been cancelled over the last week. Some passengers have told their stories in the media over recent days. They have said that they will not receive refunds because they were offered alternative flights two or three days later. Some of these families have saved for these holidays over the last two years and have not been on holiday since 2019. They have paid heavily for accommodation in sun destinations. Has the Department of Transport or the Minister been in contact with Aer Lingus on this issue to ensure that all passengers will receive full refunds swiftly? It is astonishing that other companies have not cancelled nearly as many flights as Aer Lingus. I understand that Ryanair is running at near full capacity.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am advised that, due to the spike in the number of Covid-19 cases, Aer Lingus has been forced to cancel three return flights and one direct flight today. I am also advised that, due to a mandate from the London Heathrow Airport authority, one return flight to Dublin from Heathrow has also been cancelled today. Aer Lingus has apologised to those impacted and the team at the airline is working to accommodate impacted passengers on the next available service as efficiently as possible. According to Aer Lingus, it anticipated the return of demand for travel once Covid restrictions were removed and included buffers in its plans to deal with reasonable levels of disruption. As the Deputy will know, European Community Regulation No. 261/2004 sets out the rights of air passengers and the resulting obligations on airlines in the event of cancellations, denied boarding and flight delays. In Ireland, the Commission for Aviation Regulation is the designated national enforcement body. The Minister, Deputy Ryan, and I will be meeting with airlines with regard to what is happening at Dublin Airport and will raise these issues.