I do not doubt the importance of Shannon Airport for the mid-west region. I do not need to tell Senator Dooley that this will continue to be a focus of the Government to ensure it is supported. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and I had a very good meeting with the new chair of the Shannon Group, Mr. Pádraig Ó Céidigh last Friday. We discussed the current status of the airport, the key challenges, risks and opportunities for the future, including his ambition for building back passenger numbers at the…

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for a Council Decision on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union in the Partnership Council esta…

I thank Deputies for their contributions. I will have the Minister come back to Deputy Catherine Murphy on the question she posed. As I mentioned earlier, this measure is essential to ensure continued close law enforcement co-operation between the EU and the UK. It is vital we meet the highest standards possible when it comes to the investigation and prosecution of crimes, and the ongoing transfer of PNR data helps to ensure that. This extension of the special arrangements in place in the TCA will allow the continu…

I move: “That the Bill be now read a Second Time.” I am pleased to introduce the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) (Amendment) Bill 2021 for the consideration of this House. The primary objective and focus of the Bill is to amend the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000 to facilitate a revised board composition for the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, MCIB, and, through other necessary operational and technical revisions, to support the functioning of the MCIB as …

I thank Deputies for their comments on the Bill. I welcome the engagement on it and the underlying support for an enhanced legislative framework for the investigation of marine casualties in Ireland. Although a relatively short Bill of only 16 sections, it contains important provisions to amend and update the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000 and thereby to support the continued independent functioning of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board as the marine investigative body in the S…

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Transport and Communications pursuant to Standing Orders 95 and 181.

I am grateful to the House for affording me this opportunity to make a statement on the final report of the Air Accident Investigation Unit, AAIU, on its investigation into the Rescue 116 accident. The Minister for Transport and I spoke yesterday in the Dáil on this matter and it is fitting that this House should also be fully briefed and given the opportunity to respond. The R116 accident was a tragedy that claimed the lives of four crew who dedicated their lives to saving others. I again express my sympathies to …

The Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020 provides for further enhancement and strengthening of this framework. It underpins the IAA's role in oversight of Coast Guard aviation activities generally but also aligns this regulatory oversight activity by the IAA with European aviation safety regulations. Further alignment with European aviation safety regulations is planned by exercising the option in Regulation 2018/1139 on common rules in the field of civil aviation, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, EASA,…

I sincerely thank the Senators for their contributions this afternoon. We all share the common goal of seeking to prevent similar accidents occurring in the future. The provision of an effective maritime search and rescue service is critical to Ireland as an island nation with a strong maritime sector. The sector depends on the reliability and professionalism of the Irish Coast Guard and all of its component parts, including the Coast Guard aviation service, and on its ability to offer a service which can deploy at…

The R116 accident was a tragedy that claimed the lives of four crew who dedicated their lives to saving others. I express my sympathies to the families and loved ones of pilot Dara Fitzpatrick, co-pilot Mark Duffy, winchman Ciarán Smyth and winch operator Paul Ormsby. I thank Members for their contributions. It is clear that we all share a common goal of seeking to prevent similar accidents occurring in the future. I thank the chief inspector of the Air Accident Investigation Unit and his team for completing such a…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." It is satisfying to be able to bring the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 before the House. This Bill began life under the previous Government, with a number of important and necessary issues addressed, but we have added significantly to it in light of the programme for Government and emerging issues since the Government was formed. It is a large Bill and an important one. It will mark a positive advance across a wide range of areas and will be an important contrib…

I have more to say but I think the Deputies have the full script.

I thank the Senators for raising this issue. The temporary standing down of the Doolin Coast Guard unit operation is a proportionate response, having regard to significant ongoing attempts by the Coast Guard to address the unfortunate differences that have existed within the unit for a number of years and their impact on the unit. However, attempts to resolve the situation to date have not been successful and I believe there is a role for an independent person or mediator to be appointed to the Doolin unit with a v…

It is important to acknowledge that the units continue to actively recruit members from within their communities. They are very keen to enrol volunteers. Once enrolled, volunteers enter a training programme to assist their communities with the search-and-rescue response. In the past two years, there has been no exception. Despite the challenge of Covid, units have been able to enrol new members and advance existing team members in key training requirements. The number of volunteer grievance cases remains low. They …

I am taking this question on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin. In its decision of 19 October 2021, the Government agreed that the remaining areas of the hospitality, entertainment and night-time economy would reopen with the full range of protective measures in place and the wide and robust implementation of the Covid-19 pass. This represents an important next step towards the full reopening of our economy and society. As we move forward, however, it is more critical than ever to ensure that we are d…

I will relay the Senator's comments back to the Department and see if it can give her any more information on that review. I will certainly pass on the Senator's comments to the Minister and the Department.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak about regional transport infrastructure. I have no doubt there will be much agreement among all of us on the importance of regional and rural transport infrastructure. Too often, when we talk about transport, we end up discussing the cities. However, I am keenly aware rural and regional Ireland need improvements to its transport infrastructure and I am happy to have the opportunity to update the House on what this Government will deliver in that regard. This Governmen…

I thank the Deputy. I am taking questions this morning for the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, who must attend Cabinet. As Members know, the climate action plan is being launched later today. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Like many other sectors of the economy, road haulage is facing the dual challenges of rising costs and labour shortages. The global oil price has increased substantially in 2021. However, the Minister for Finance has retained the diesel rebate scheme for the present. The s…

On the carbon tax, as the Deputy knows, the Minister for Finance sets policy on tax and excise duties on fuel. The increase this year, which related to the already planned carbon tax, amounts to between 2 cent and 2.5 cent per litre of petrol and diesel. Revenue from any increase in carbon tax is ring-fenced and goes directly towards alleviating negative effects for those who cannot afford increases in the price of energy. I understand the pressures on the sector. I have been engaging with the Irish Road Haulage As…

The skills group will report back shortly. It is important to note, however, that a great deal of work is under way in the meantime. My engagement with the Minister of State, Deputy English, on the quotas for work permits is one example. On the RSA, it is the authority's role to engage in relation to securing licence exchange agreements with other countries. This is a long process and in such circumstances both countries have to ensure they meet the standards. We are focusing on a number of countries in response to…