Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

There is no doubt about the need for a co-ordinated approach on this matter, especially given the growth in aircraft movement throughout Europe. In Ireland we can see the growth in aircraft numbers. The perception is that the Bill concerns large aircraft. The growth in the number of smaller aircraft is equally significant, if not more so. Increasingly, people use helicopters to move around while small aircraft are used for hobby purposes and to move between smaller airfields and aerodromes. We must consider those issues when considering the Bill.

When discussing aircraft safety, people consider legislation requirements from the point of view of passengers and those working on aircraft. However, another group of people, made up of those who live under flight paths, is also keenly aware of the need for safety. It is equally important when examining legislation that we consider the issues from that perspective. In that context, I will focus on the Irish Aviation Authority.

I live quite close to a growing aerodrome, Weston Aerodrome, and owing to some of the significant problems which have arisen I have become conscious of some shortcomings in the regulations. Weston Aerodrome cohabits the airspace with Casement Aerodrome and a flight path from Dublin Airport also goes over it which means there is a great deal of movement. Keeping planes apart in the air is even more difficult when one considers that much of the airspace around it is unregulated. A person can literally get into his or her plane, set off from south Kildare and land at Weston without being required to record the flight. They simply make arrangements to land at the aerodrome.

At least four Departments and two local authorities are involved, as is the Irish Aviation Authority. I am concerned about the lack of co-ordination between them. I am also concerned that the expanded role of the Irish Aviation Authority means that functions are merely tacked on rather than having a comprehensive organisation dealing with all aspects. The authority states its primary function is to keep planes apart in the air as though what happens when they land and the planning required on where they land is a disconnected function.

The Chicago Convention tends to be used in terms of safety standards and is the internationally recognised convention. Some countries have regulated upwards from that. For congested areas, the UK regulates above what is required by the Chicago Convention. We must examine that when considering safety, particularly regarding smaller airfields and aerodromes. Public consultation does not take place if an airfield or aerodrome seeks a change in its licence. In a current case, the Air Corps, the owner of Weston Aerodrome and the Irish Aviation Authority are discussing a change in licence that would potentially mean a move from visual to instrument control. Essentially that will mean a larger piece of airstrip will be used. If one uses a larger airstrip, one moves from a small, two-seater to six-seater aircraft up to a 50-seater one. That is significant yet the public is treated as a disinterested party and the local authorities are not even consulted. That is no way to regulate. If one looks at this legislation in a pan-European context, one must also look at getting our house in order. A root and branch examination of the role and function of the Irish Aviation Authority and how it relates to the local authorities and Department is needed.

See this speech in context