Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“Though there is often something of the sanctimonious about the Republic’s billing of its handling of Coronavirus, there is a dangerous elephant in its midst it doesn’t want to talk about – the fact that Dublin Airport continues to operate daily flights from Covid-19 hotspots, including New York, without health checks.
“Just as Northern Ireland’s first Coronavirus case came via Dublin Airport, so its continuing operation in this fashion poses a direct threat to Northern Ireland.
“Flights from North America, Brussels, Amsterdam, and the Far East, via Doha, are all unloading hundreds of potentially infected carriers onto our doorstep, with nothing to stop them travelling on to this jurisdiction.
“What a contrast with Belfast International Airport, which has closed down to all commercial flights and Belfast City Airport, with its single London flight per day!
“I am, therefore, raising these issues with the NI Executive. I am tabling the Questions below to the First Minsters and the Health Minister. This is an issue which needs to be addressed.”
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister what representations they have made about the fact that Dublin Airport continues to operate flights from Coronavirus hotspots, including New York, without health checks, given the ease of onward travel into Northern Ireland.
To ask the Minister for Health what discussions have taken place with his counterpart in the Republic of Ireland, or via the respective chief medical advisers, about the fact that Dublin Airport continues to operate flights from Coronavirus hotspots, including New York, without health checks, given the ease of onward travel into Northern Ireland.