Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

In following up on the concerns raised by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, about the regulation of international civil aviation, last week Ireland's Permanent Representative to the European Union raised with colleagues the need for the EU to consider what action it might take in this area. Separately, officials from the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Transport will travel to Switzerland in March to discuss issues relating to transiting aircraft with other states in Ireland's International Civil Aviation Organisation grouping.

Against this background of early and transparent action by the Government, extensive international inquiries and consistent Oireachtas involvement, there is no basis for believing the establishment of a committee, as proposed by the Deputy, would achieve anything.

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