Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

EU legislation relating to air navigation services, known as the Single European Sky, SES, legislation, requires that there be functional separation of the activities of air navigation service provision and regulatory oversight of those services. This requirement for functional separation has been implemented by the Irish Aviation Authority.

However, in implementing SES legislation, most EU member states have provided for institutional separation of air traffic management service provision and regulatory functions. Ireland is currently one of only four member states not to effect full institutional separation.

My Department is reviewing whether changes are necessary in the Irish context. As part of the ongoing review, the possibility of incorporating the Commission for Aviation Regulation, CAR, into a new regulatory structure is under consideration. In addition, as the regulatory framework for all civil aviation in the EU develops, the role of the Commission for Aviation Regulation will be kept under ongoing review.

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