Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said that “every effort will be made” to reopen international travel to Irish people as soon as possible.
Martin told the Dail that “No effort will be spared to get international travel re-established.”
The Taoiseach’s pledge to reopen international travel comes after Tanaiste Leo Varadkar made comments on international travel to an Oireachtas committee this morning.
Varadkar said that the Government will be making their decisions on travel next week.
Mr Martin is also urging Aer Lingus to reverse their decision to permanently shut its Shannon base and put staff from Cork Airport on temporary leave.
The airline has taken these actions to reduce costs, putting air routes linking Shannon to Heathrow in London and destinations in the USA at stake.
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar also spoke on the decision and told an Oireachtas committee meeting earlier that the move was “extremely unwelcome.”
Varadkar said "The closure of the cabin crew base in Shannon wasn't It is down to the pandemic and to the fact that people just aren't travelling… and it is also down to the restrictions the Government imposed.
The Tanaiste added: "In the real world planes can be moved out of Ireland very easily to places like Manchester and that is one of the consequences of the very strict travel restrictions in Ireland.
Clare TD Joe Carey said today that the Government is in financial negotiations with Aer Lingus.
Speaking with Limerick and Clare TDs, Michael Martin told the Dáil that he is formally calling on Aer Lingus to reverse their decisions for Cork and Shannon.
Without financial support from the Government and with no travel date given for airlines to look forward to, both would-be holidaymakers and airlines have been left in limbo.
The latest travel update came from Tanaiste Leo Varadkar who said foreign holidays won’t be allowed until August when the Government implements the EU green cert scheme.
The European Commision is aiming to have the scheme up and running by June 21.
Varadkar on the other hand has said the Government is planning to wait six weeks before introducing it to Ireland.
