I call for a debate on the regional airports strategy. We hear a lot of talk about Dublin Airport and the removal of the cap and so forth. I am of the view that a cap in Dublin Airport does not necessarily benefit regional airports anyway, so lifting the cap, if it is good for Dublin, can be good for Ireland. That said, however, I am a big believer in our regional airports, particularly Shannon Airport. The debate taking place concerning the cap in Dublin Airport means there may be a lack of focus on our regional airports. We have had huge success with Knock Airport. We have seen Ryanair recently announce additional flights. Cork Airport is part of the DAA group so it is not considered a regional airport, but certainly Shannon and Knock, as well as Donegal and Kerry, are regional airports.

We need to refresh the regional airports strategy. We need to explore new and innovative ways of developing additional business. I commend the management team at Shannon Airport on the phenomenal work it has done in driving the airport through Covid and to its remarkable success to date, but a huge amount more can be achieved. We are all looking forward to the Ryder Cup next year, when Shannon Airport will be the base, hopefully, for a significant amount of activity, but I believe that tourism in this country is an all-Ireland business, particularly in the west of Ireland. Our airports are our connections to the rest of the world. Our airports along the west coast, particularly Shannon, can and should be used an awful lot more. I would like to hear from the Minister as to what his thoughts are on the next four or five years for our regional airports.