Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Transport, Darren O’Rourke TD, has today criticised the lack of action by the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, after Aer Lingus announced further job losses and base closures.

The Meath East TD said:

“For months Sinn Féin have been calling for a survival and recovery plan for the aviation sector.

“We recognise the severe impact the necessary travel restrictions have had on the sector during the pandemic, and we called for extra sector specific measures to be put in place to account for this.

“The Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has taken an unacceptable hands-off approach to aviation and the Government’s lack of action is now costing even more jobs.

“The closure of the cabin crew base in Shannon is a massive blow to that region and the further job losses in Cork are devastating for workers and their families.

“The Minister for Transport must engage with Aer Lingus immediately to try and reverse the base closures and save as many jobs as possible.

“Sinn Féin vigorously opposed the privatisation of Aer Lingus in 2015 by Fine Gael and Labour and we said it would cost jobs in the long run.

“Unfortunately, the decision to sell off this key state asset now severely weakens the Government’s hand in this situation.”