I thank the Minister of State for taking this debate. I want to deal with this issue by addressing the two prongs relating to the aviation sector. I understand we will see a new reopening roadmap for the aviation sector next week. I ask the Minister of State to confirm that will be the case. It is critical for us to align with the EU proposals in terms of reopening. It is about testing. It is about adding to the green list countries with lower infection rates than we have. The airlines will not survive without an e…

I have a couple of questions for the Minister of State. When will the roadmap for the reopening of the air travel sector be published? Does she expect it to align with the European Commission model? This is something for which the airline industry and those of us in the Shannon-Limerick region have been calling. As has been mentioned previously, pilots, cabin crew, the staff at Shannon Airport and travel agents have been greatly impacted by this particular decision. Does the Minister of State believe the Government…

I want to speak in this debate and I will obviously start with the context of Limerick city and county. A glimmer of good news emerged today when no additional cases of Covid-19 were recorded in Limerick. That is the first time that has happened for 24 days, since 17 August. This is a worrying time for the public but it is not a time to panic. We very much need to continue this trend. Limerick had 19 new cases yesterday but has none today. That is very positive. What we need to do in Limerick is to heed the advice …

To give context to this debate, I met a number of publicans in Limerick city a short time ago and their main request is that they be allowed to reopen. I must be looking at different legislation from what many other speakers are seeing. When I read section 3, I see that it makes specific reference, in subsection (1)(a), to members of the Garda entering a premises for "the purposes of giving a direction". My understanding of this provision is that gardaí will give a warning to a publican who is in breach of the regu…

I wish Deputy Foley well in her brief as Minister. In my contribution to the debate on school transport, I will refer to a case with which the Minister will be familiar. It relates to John the Baptist community school in Hospital, County Limerick. At present, 38 students in east Limerick are without bus tickets. They live in such areas as Fedamore, Carnane, Ballybricken, Ballyneety, Knockea and Bruff. The specific circumstances concern a common applications system through which people in Limerick city have to apply…

On a point of order, I have no doubt I am speaking for many of my colleagues in asking whether the Minister could briefly respond to some of the queries raised. It would make the session far more productive for everyone.

I thank Deputy Michael Healy-Rae for giving way. I welcome the July stimulus package of €7.2 billion. I wish to raise a few points that have come up in conversations I have had with business people in Limerick and north Tipperary, particularly relating to the employment wage subsidy scheme. The existing scheme covers proprietary directors, who are people with more than 50% shareholding in a limited company. Many businesses in the SME sector operate such incorporations. Typically, a person to whom that applies start…

Would it be possible to allow the Minister to provide a brief summation?

I will speak briefly to the section. I have listened intently as the amendments have been gone through in considerable detail. My contribution will be very brief. I welcome the Minister's commitment to look at the issue of proprietary directors. There may be six proprietary directors in a company holding 15% each. Their situation is slightly different from that of self-employed people. They come under the existing scheme and should come under the new scheme in the interests of continuity and maintaining all employe…

Will the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, outline the steps that have been taken to address the current oversight for driver licences that have expired but fall outside the four-month extension period from March to 30 June? Will she consider an extension for the cases of those whose licence expired in July but who cannot renew online or obtain a timely appointment at a National Driver Licence Service, NDLS, centre? Will she make a statement on the matter? The issue that has arisen is that someone whose licence w…

I thank the Minister for that. I have three quick questions. First, when did the Department of Transport apply to the European Commission for this extension? Second, what is the length of the extension? Third, how long does the Minister of State expect it will be before the European Commission will come back with a response regarding that extension period? It is unacceptable that we have elderly people and many others waiting for up to eight weeks to get their driver's licence renewed if it is up after 1 July. It i…

I thank the Minister with responsibility for tourism, Deputy Eamon Ryan, for taking the time to take this important debate. We are here today to discuss Shannon Heritage. It is part of the Shannon Group. We held a meeting with representatives of the Shannon Group in early June. They gave a commitment that they would look to apply for funding to Government to ensure that the Shannon Heritage sites, including King John's Castle in my constituency, could be opened year round. Currently, they are due for closure on 31 …

I thank the Minister. The Shannon Group is under his direct responsibility. The submission made by it referred to the cost of keeping Shannon Heritage open for a year. We understand that the gross figure is approximately €4 million. Given that the temporary wage subsidy scheme will be extended under the July stimulus, that figure will now be considerably less. We welcome the fact that the Minister is examining the future viability and the restructuring of the Shannon Group. That may involve Shannon Heritage moving …

Pages 26 to 28 of the programme for Government set out commitments around the capital programme, including a €6.1 million grant for Shannon Airport. There is reference to engaging with other EU member states on specific funding supports for aviation and looking at flexibility around state aid rules. There is also reference to the Tourism Ireland regional co-operative marketing fund in respect of supports for route development for airports outside Dublin. The Covid crisis has had a detrimental impact on the aviation…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, to the House and wish her well in her post. This debate is about Shannon Airport, specifically the detrimental impact Covid-19 has had on its operations. There has been a 96% reduction in passenger numbers in Shannon Airport since March. Passenger numbers are likely to be 70% lower than last year. Cork and Dublin airports will have a combined reduction in passenger numbers of 40%. Shannon, therefore, has been exponentially impacted by Covid. I seek a numb…

I thank the Minister of State. I wish to follow up quickly on a few things. A large number of people in my constituency of Limerick City and in north Tipperary work at Shannon Airport. The Minister did not make reference to Shannon Heritage in her response. More than 300 people are employed there during the peak season and 145 are employed year round. If a proposal comes from the Shannon Group, will the Minister consider providing funding to ensure the Shannon Heritage sites are kept open all year round? Second, th…

I ask the Minister for a quick response to this question. St. Gabriel's special needs school, Dooradoyle, Limerick, intends to participate in the school summer provision but it has specific needs. Many of their children are immobile and in wheelchairs and will not be able to meet the normal social distancing requirements. I know the school has been in contact with his Department. I ask that when the guidelines for the summer provision are issued tomorrow, which I welcome, they will take account of the specific need…

There has been a large number of queries about the opening of hairdressers and barbershops in Limerick. I have met these traders several times and I will meet them again later this afternoon. They want certainty about when they will be able to reopen. Earlier is obviously better. Can the Minister provide an update on the process? I understand it will be considered by NPHET. When will this happen? When does the Minister expect a decision in this area? Apart from the concerns of the hair salon and barbershop owners, …

I have several quick questions for the Minister. With regard to Shannon Airport, I wrote to the CEO of Aer Lingus in the past week as there is a particular point in regard to cabin crew at Shannon who have been temporarily laid off. I have a copy of a letter sent to workers today which is very upsetting for them in that they are being allowed to stay on the wage subsidy scheme but they are being differentiated from their colleagues in Cork and Dublin. I have sent a copy of the letter to the Minister. I ask that he …

My final question concerned the coach operators on the CTTC. Will the Minister look to set up a specific public transport recovery task force?