Call for Covid testing centre at Knock airport ahead of Christmas flights

A Mayo TD has welcomed the government’s adoption of the EU traffic light system for international travel which comes into effect today.

But Deputy Alan Dillon wants Transport Minister Eamonn Ryan to providing Covid testing centre at all Irish airports.

The Castlebar-based representative said there is also a need to develop an immediate traffic light system for countries outside of the EU, such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA, in order to provide clarity to the diaspora regarding travel home for Christmas.

Deputy Dillon raised this issue with Minister Catherine Martyn at the committee for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht and asked that her Green Party colleague Minister Ryan would ensure testing for Covid-19 at Irish airports - including Ireland West Airport Knock - is a central element of its implementation in time for Christmas.

He said: “Given the importance of the aviation sector our strategic connectivity and to our economic recovery, now is the time to be proactive and ensure for the months ahead that a suite of measures is in place to ensure a sustainable and safe aviation sector as restrictions are eased and demand increases.”

Deputy Dillon has called on the government to:

1. Ensure information on the implementation of the EU traffic light system in Ireland is clear, concise and easily accessible by the public;

2. Liaise with airports and other EU Member States to ensure a consistent approach to pre-departure testing is in place across Europe, well in advance of the Christmas period;

3. Liaise with airlines to ensure clear, concise messaging is provided to airline companies, their staff and passengers as regards the specifics of the traffic light system and how individuals avail of testing;

“The Joint Committee on Transport has heard evidence from our airports that they have been working to develop the testing infrastructure and capacity to carry out PCR testing of passengers.

"We urge Minister Ryan to work with Ireland West Airport Knock on building the necessary system for testing passengers pre-departure and on arrival in Ireland.

“Minister Ryan outlined recently that a cross-departmental technical working group will report back to government this week with a plan to establish approved Covid-19 tests for international arrivals. It is vital that this plan is implemented urgently," added Deputy Dillon.