Mr. Eamonn Brennan:

I will take the questions in the order they were asked and may ask my colleagues to answer some of them.

On the EASA flight and duty limitation requirements, the essential point is that this is a Europe-wide scheme that deals with different types of operator, including long haul operations to Asia, transoceanic operations to the United States and short haul operations in Europe. There are various categories within these regulations that govern everything. With regard to the maximum of 1,000 flight hours in 12 months, I feel obliged to point out some things that are important to realise. First, that works out at about 19.23 hours per week. This is not just a general limit - it is backstopped. There are actually 14 day and 28 day limits - a maximum number of hours a pilot can fly in 14 days and a maximum number in 28 days. For instance, if a pilot does a 16 hour duty period twice in one week, equivalent rest periods are provided for, under which the pilot does not show up until the latter half of the following week. All of these kinds of constraint and safeguard are built in. The FTL is about providing proper flight times and duty.

As well as the social interest the committee considered, it might also consider talking to operators such as Aer Lingus, CityJet and Ryanair because the airline operations also need flexibility for delays and weather. However, the limitations in flexibility are built into the proposed rules. The rules take account of increased rest periods and reduced flight time. In addition, EASA consultation has taken place over the past two or three years. Some 49,000 submissions have been made to EASA on flight time limitations from pilot associations, employers and aviation authorities. We are trying to achieve a balance so that all social interests are taken into account - those of the employers and those of the employees. As the regulator, we would not agree with any system that we do not believe to be fundamentally safe.

I will ask Captain Courtney to answer the specific questions on multiple take-offs shortly. Deputy Dooley asked about PTC. Geoffrey O'Byrne White is a director of the Irish Aviation Authority and the former chief executive of Air France-CityJet. I understand he worked for PTC for three to four months. PTC was only discussed on one occasion at a board meeting of the Irish Aviation Authority and he excluded himself from that at the direction of the chairman and himself. He had no part in the discussion, nor was he party to any discussions concerning PTC ever. I can vouch for that. He is a man of the highest integrity. He provides to the board expertise on how to run an airline, which is very important, as one can imagine.

I will ask Mr. Kevin Humphreys to answer the question on the scientific reports etc. I will then ask Captain Courtney to deal with the question on multiple landings.