Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the IALPA for its presentation. The EASA has made proposals with which the IALPA is happy, except for the three issues raised today - night duties, stand-by duties and disruptive schedules. If these proposals become directives, will the Irish aviation sector be able to opt out of them? It was stated ten independent scientists did not agree with the EASA and had made contrary proposals. If the EASA is ignoring the advice of these scientists, could a legal case be taken? We hear much about pilot fatigue. I find it hard to get my head around the arrangements for rostering pilots.

With regard to long-haul flights, in particular, what is the position on stand-by pilots who are woken up to work having been asleep for several hours? Scientists have said this is very disruptive, that it does not constitute proper practice and that the number of hours slept by the pilots is insufficient.

Will the delegates outline the position of the Irish Aviation Authority on some of the points made?