I have a quick question for the Tánaiste. The Government is looking at increasing the capacity limits on public transport from 50% to 100% as we go into August.

Currently, school transport is operating at 50% capacity. Bus Éireann has informed me that if the capacity on school transport is not increased, it may not be able to facilitate students.

Will school transport capacity be reviewed?

I want to raise national as well as local topics. The Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tony Holohan, was before the transport committee yesterday. He is fully supportive of a pilot rapid antigen testing programme for the aviation sector. The Minister of State wrote to Ministers on 11 May. We would have written to the Minister and the Department on 6 May with a specific request on a rapid antigen testing pilot programme for the aviation sector. That was over a month ago, as was the Minister of State’s letter. We could hav…

I spoke on this subject a number of weeks ago and I asked to speak on it again today because it will be a hugely important issue into the future. We probably will be living with Covid indefinitely. It is like no other pandemic that has gone before. Covid is going to be on the horizon in some shape or form, possibly for the rest of our lifetimes. Lockdowns will potentially be required at different times. Life is not going to be as we once knew it. When it comes to mental health services, there must be a basic trust …

I welcome this economic recovery plan. On the business side, I very much welcome the continuation of the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector and the commercial rates waiver. In my limited time, I want to deal with one specific aspect of the recovery plan, namely, aviation. I am a Deputy in Limerick city. Shannon Airport is on our doorstep. It is critical in terms of connectivity. I very much welcome the funding put in place to date for the aviation sector in the economic recovery plan. We want to see the capital…

I propose to use the time for questions and answers. I will deal with the unfolding situation in Limerick regarding Covid cases. I note the phenomenal work done on the roll-out at the Radisson vaccination centre. I welcome the shuttle bus running from the city centre will be transferred when the centre moves to Limerick Racecourse in Patrickswell. We have seen a rise in Covid cases in Limerick. There have been nearly 260 cases in the last ten days, peaking at 59 cases on Tuesday. We have also seen the cyberattack. …

We welcome that.

On a point of order, are the cases being brought under control?

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton. I am glad that the Minister is looking at rolling out the digital green certificate as quickly as he can. He spoke in the context of people being vaccinated. However, he qualified that by stating "the epidemiological conditions, including status of variants of concern, must also be favourable for international travel to return, and for the current advice against non-essential travel to be lifted within Europe and with third count…

I raise the issue of the closure of the Aer Lingus cabin crew base in Shannon which affects 81 workers. The Minister met the Aer Lingus CEO, Ms Lynne Embleton, yesterday. Can he give us an update on that discussion? We want the decision to be reversed. Can he commit to ongoing discussions with Aer Lingus to ensure connectivity out of Shannon and that the base remains? The 81 cabin crew affected are not being paid by the airline. They are in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment. There is no cost to the State…

I am here to speak specifically about the Aer Lingus cabin crew base closure at Shannon Airport. It has been devastating for the workers and their families. As well as that, having a base at Shannon is critical for connectivity because of the early morning and early afternoon Heathrow slots and because it provides transatlantic connectivity to Aer Lingus. I have two questions. I know the Minister has had discussions with Aer Lingus so I ask that follow-up discussions be held now. We had a meeting with the Taoiseach…

I am a Deputy from the constituency of Limerick city in the mid-west. Connectivity through Shannon Airport is vital. It is a key component of our economic and tourism model. Crucial in that respect is the need to have an Aer Lingus cabin crew base located at Shannon Airport to ensure it is possible to provide flights at times which suit business people in the region and tourists. In that regard, I have two requests. First, I understand from the Taoiseach that the Government will continue to engage with Aer Lingus t…

I will interact with the Ministers if that is okay.

I am pleased to contribute to this debate. I wish to make a number of points. We had the assistant secretary of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Mr. Ciarán Ó hObáin before the transport committee this morning to talk about the NCSC. It was a private meeting. We have a number of questions we would like to be clearly answered. First, are the Ministers satisfied that in view of what has happened with the cyberattack on the HSE and the Department of Health that the terms of reference of th…

The NCSC is not strictly advisory. My understanding is that it is effectively the lead body in the event of a cyberattack taking place. It co-ordinates the response. My understanding is that its role is not an advisory one, but it is very much the lead body in the response. I am conscious of time. When the Minister, Deputy Ryan, concludes his response could the Minister for Health give an indication of whether the attack on late Thursday to early Friday was the sole attack or are attacks continuing? When is it expe…

Can we take it from what has been outlined that the attack was a once-off attack and there have been no attacks since 3 a.m. on Friday morning?

Therefore, there have been previous incidents, although not as severe. Given the best estimate from the briefings he has received, when does the Minister anticipate the HSE and the Department of Health will be back to normal functioning in terms of their computerised systems, most particularly for patient care and appointments?

I thank the Minister for his answers. The Minister, Deputy Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Smyth, will be aware that the communications committee is looking at the National Cyber Security Centre, NCSC, and its role because it falls under our remit. We will expect the Ministers to take part.

I raise the issue of vaccination centres in Limerick. We currently have the Radisson vaccination centre. I got my Covid-19 vaccination there this morning. I compliment the phenomenal work being done by the HSE and the volunteer staff. It was very efficient. We have a very successful roll-out in Limerick at the moment. There is speculation that the centre will be moved to the Limerick Racecourse in Patrickswell from the Radisson. Can the Tánaiste confirm that that is to happen and when precisely it will happen? Seco…