Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

This question was prompted by the fact that the chief executive of Ryanair, Michael O'Leary, has said that the budget of CAR should be slashed and its staff numbers cut by half. Does the Minister agree with this view? Alternatively, is it the case that additional resources should be given to CAR? I understand that something like one half of its staff are busy with various lawsuits emanating, in particular, from Ryanair. How does the Minister view its current operational level?

Is the Minister concerned that recent statistics show that Irish airlines are the most complained about airlines in Europe, accounting for one quarter of all passenger complaints in the EU, with 70% of those, in effect, relating to Ryanair? Does the Minister welcome the fact that Cathal Guiomard, the Commissioner for Aviation Regulation, published an interesting advertisement in national newspapers today which has the heading "Air passengers have rights" and which shows the rights to which air passengers are entitled, such as sustenance and accommodation where there are overnight delays on flights? Does he welcome the fact that the commissioner has now issued 53 final warnings to carriers flying out of Irish airports to ensure that passengers receive their full rights?

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