The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
SPEAKING in the Dáil yesterday, caretaker Transport Minister Shane Ross announced a task force for the recovery of the aviation sector.
“I know that the aviation industry is anxious to have some visibility of how and when we will move forward to reopening for business and it is concerned that aviation does not feature in the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Business and Society. I share that concern,” he said
“Therefore in addition to establishing a Taskforce for Aviation Recovery my Department is progressing the development of an Aviation Recovery Plan through a number of inter-related strands of work,” Minister Ross added.
Outlining some of the plans, he said, “We are looking to the experience of other countries in opening borders and monitor the effectiveness of measures to control any resumption of COVID 19 growth. We will consider how a phased approach to reopening might developed based on the criteria outlined by the European Commission as a basis for an aligned European approach. We will of course work closely with the Department of Health and other relevant Departments in this regard.
“Secondly, in consultation with the National Facilitation Committee, my Department and the Department of Health will agree the new protocols that should be applied to promote health and virus control in the aviation journey. I expect that a code of practice will be finalised and published in the coming weeks.
“Thirdly, we will continue a close bilateral engagement with both State-owned and non-State owned parts of the industry that are critical to future connectivity with regard to capability and readiness to resume operations.
“Fourthly, subject to close consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, we will consider what support measures, if any, beyond the horizontal supports already adopted, may be necessary to facilitate the rapid return of a strong aviation industry that can, in turn, support the wider economy through the recovery phase.”
ENDS
Owen Ryan
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked for a number of other regional titles in Limerick, Galway and Cork.
