Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

Ireland is recognised internationally and so is the Government's role in this issue.

Whenever there is a discussion about the aviation industry the subject of terrorism arises. One issue which many in this country have heard of is that of the Miami Five where five Cubans who were trying to stop Miami-based terrorist groups from carrying out violent actions against the people of Cuba were found guilty of charges ranging from murder to espionage by a court in Miami which relied on the evidence of convicted terrorists. All are innocent of the charges brought against them and extensive intimidation of jurors by the same terrorists was a feature of the trial. They are appealing their convictions. I have asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs to intervene in this issue as well. I raise the issue because a number of aeroplanes have been bombed by US-based terrorists as part of their war against the Cuban people. I dedicate this campaign to the memory of the 3,478 Cubans killed and the 2,099 maimed at the hands of US-based terrorist groups since 1959. The Miami Five case is a classic case wherein civilians were bombed and the world turned a blind eye. That is not acceptable and I would like to challenge the US on these issues.

The details of the legislation indicate that the Bill is an Act to give effect to the international convention relating to co-operation for the safety of air navigation, signed at Brussels on 13 December 1960 and consolidated by the protocol signed at Brussels on 27 June 1997, and to amend the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 for that purpose, and to provide for related matters. That is the basis of the Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) Bill 2005.

I referred to the importance of airports, including regional ones. We are aware of the very successful story in Knock but that needs continued support. I recently had direct experience of Sligo Airport and the valuable contribution it makes to the development of the area.

As an island nation we need a proper air service in and out of the country because there are only two ways of getting in and out — by air and by sea. We need it for our economic and social development and air cargo is an important feature of that. I emphasise that safety must always be at the top of the agenda. Heavy air traffic and overcrowded skies must not cause us to take our eye off the ball and allow safety to lapse. I welcome the debate but I urge caution and more investment in public safety relating to air navigation.

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