Calls for airport tax to be axed
Clare TD, Pat Breen (Fine Gael) called on the Government to “call Michael O’Leary’s bluff” and abandon the tax which was introduced in the October budget.
The Ryanair chief executive has blamed the tax for the decision this week to scale down its operations in Dublin and Shannon airports.
The airline announced on Tuesday it would remove one aircraft from Dublin and Shannon for its winter schedule, starting in October, resulting in 100 jobs being lost at the airports.
The announcement came just days after Aer Lingus announced a reduction in its transatlantic services from Shannon.
Ryanair has already taken five aircraft out of its schedule at Dublin airport this year, with the loss of 250 jobs. Mr O’Leary has described the tax as “tourism suicide”.
Deputy Breen called for time in the Dáil to discuss the tax which he said is having “a considerable effect on tourism in the entire country and particularly the mid-west region”.
“A very serious situation is emerging in the aviation sector given the news over the weekend that services are being withdrawn from Shannon Airport and Ryanair’s announcement of a reduction of 36 flights a week and one fewer aircraft,” he said.
“Will the Government call Michael O’Leary’s bluff and abandon the €10 travel tax?”
Labour Party transport spokesman Tommy Broughan also raised the issue during questions to Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan who he said had “by far the worst record in respect of jobs in the history of the State”. “Given that we are now losing another 600 jobs in aviation and related areas, would the Tánaiste consider asking the Minister for Finance to urgently... remove the travel tax,” Mr Broughan said.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said: “The deputy is speaking for Ryanair. The deputy is supporting Ryanair. Michael O’Leary would be proud of him.”
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