Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Troy referred to the pay increase. It is departmental administration. As overall administration costs went up in the Department, all programmes went up. We do not fund the IAA at all. It is completely self-funding and, in fact, very profitable. I think that answers the Deputy's other question on the engagement of the IAA in recruitment. We would not incur a liability on that basis, as the authority stands alone completely and makes a lot of money.

I will come to Deputy Murphy's questions lastly, if that is acceptable. Deputy Munster asked about the propriety of the dual role.

A decision was taken by the Government in September 2017 that the roles should be divided and that there should be one regulator, merging the Commission for Aviation Regulation, CAR, and IAA regulatory functions. I am preparing legislation to do that and it will be introduced shortly, although I do now know the exact timetable.

I do not anticipate there being any particular cost to the State. It will certainly involve some cost, but that will not be significant.