Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to outline and give information on the background to the current situation at Dublin Airport. I want to bring Members up to date on the air traffic control problems at the airport. I am satisfied that, since these problems started, the IAA has done everything in its power to resolve the issues that arose. My Department has been in ongoing contact with the authority since the problem arose. The IAA has expressed its sincere regrets over the delays to passengers because of the difficulties with the air traffic control software. It is giving priority to resolve the difficulties. Once these have been resolved I have asked that it make a full report to me on what happened.

The overriding concern of the IAA, which is shared by Members, is to ensure the safety of passengers. The IAA has assured me that this is the reason it is taking these precautions. It is not prepared to compromise the safety of passengers until everything is in 100% working order.

The IAA was established following the passing of the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993. It is responsible for the safe operation of Irish air space and is tasked with the provision, operation and management of air navigation services in Irish air space. The authority has an exemplary record in the conduct of its functions in this regard. It enjoys an excellent record among peer groups as a safe and efficient service provider. It is responsible for air navigation at the three State airports and the regulatory oversight of such services at non-State airports, as well as for all air traffic flying in Irish air space. Some 90% of air traffic on the north Atlantic travels through Irish air space. As such, the IAA is a major provider of air navigation services to the US and European traffic, as well as to traffic originating in, or destined for, Ireland.

Over the past number of weeks there have been intermittent problems with the radar system at Dublin Airport. It was possible to resolve those problems and maintain the operation of the system at the same time as they arose. However, further problems arose in Dublin air traffic control centre late yesterday morning. The nature of the problems led the IAA to reduce traffic to the bare minimum for three hours while it conducted an initial investigation of the problem. That investigation was undertaken by the IAA engineers and a team from Thales SA, the French company that supplies radars and air traffic equipment.

By 4 p.m. yesterday it was possible to increase traffic to 12 arriving aircraft and nine departing aircraft per hour. Several airlines, including Aer Lingus and Ryanair, cancelled flights because of the delays. With a view to minimising the impact on the travelling public overnight, the IAA put on additional staff to facilitate airlines in repositioning aircraft at Dublin for the early outbound flights this morning. Currently, the overarching priority for the provision of air traffic control services is safety. While the IAA is acutely aware of the inconvenience caused to passengers, and while every effort is being made to minimise disruption, no compromise can be made on maintaining the highest standard of safety.

The Department of Transport has been in contact with the IAA since yesterday afternoon and has received assurances that the IAA is doing everything in its power to resolve the problems and restore full operational capacity as soon as possible. The latest position is that the IAA engineering team and the system suppliers, Thales SA, have identified the software problems and have rectified them.

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