Pádraig Ó Céidigh (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Can I come in? I believe this is an unfair question for a chair designate. I have been involved in the aviation industry for more than 25 years. I have dealt with many Government agencies and Departments and in my experience there are hardly any, bar none, at the professional level of the Irish Aviation Authority, and I have been at the other end of the stick. The Irish Aviation Authority has a process through which it deals with all complaints from any pilot, and they go through that rigorously. In addition, the European Aviation Safety Agency, EASA, which is the European governing body for aviation that regulates the aviation authorities, audits the Irish Aviation Authority on a regular basis. If anybody has complaints about safety of aviation, they go to the Irish Aviation Authority. There is a process there that is internationally audited and checked out, but it is done from EASA. With respect, it is not for the chair designate to delve into that area. The question should be put in writing directly to the Irish Aviation Authority with a view to getting a reply from it. The Deputy would look to follow up on that then directly with the Irish Aviation Authority. That is my view.