Mr. Evan Cullen:

IALPA was established in 1946 and now has approximately 1,200 members. It represents pilots who work in Aer Lingus, CityJet, CHC, which provides search and rescue for the Irish Coast Guard, and Ryanair. As a policy, we do not give a breakdown of our membership. It is fair to say, however, that membership is in proportion to the size of the companies on the island.

As will be seen from my presentation, I believe that recent events involving the serious disruption of airline passengers and arguments over entitlements to passenger compensation are, in a sense, merely the manifestation of significant underlying issues. These issues have not, until now, been in the public domain. However, I believe it is evident that these issues are not only a matter for the Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport, but for all of us.

While I will not be presenting a comprehensive documented argument, I do hope to present enough information to suggest strongly that recent events have a long history, however remote from rosters it may at first appear. Moreover, I wish to assert that the underlying issues reflect the context within which they arose, namely, the Irish regulatory context. It is fair to claim that aspects of the Irish regulatory climate are unduly influenced by considerations that are, or have been, incompatible with established international and European practices. I will suggest where the nub of the problem is to be found. This can be summed up in a single word – compliance. I hope the committee will find my comments and observations of help.

I have provided committee members only with a tabulated book of correspondence and documents. I do not suggest that we go through every document, but I will refer to a number of them. The first document-----