Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

A Cheann Comhairle, I thank you and the Deputies opposite for providing me with the opportunity to address this matter in the House.

The volcanic eruptions in Iceland since last Thursday, 15 April have caused unprecedented disruption to European airline operations. In order to ensure safety for aircraft and passengers, the immediate reaction of the national air navigation authorities across northern Europe, including the Irish Aviation Authority, was to impose flight restrictions in areas affected by the ash cloud. This had the effect of stranding hundreds of thousands of passengers ever since. As the scale and implications of the eruptions became apparent over the course of the morning and early afternoon of 15 April, my Department activated the Government taskforce on emergency planning later that afternoon.

The task force has met on a daily basis at the national emergency co-ordinating centre and is chaired by the Department of Transport. It comprises representatives from all the relevant Departments and agencies. In response to the crisis, the EU Ministers discussed the current restrictions during a teleconference yesterday afternoon and agreed a co-ordinated response that would permit the progressive opening of European airspace based on technical data already gathered and on emerging data.

It was agreed that three different zones will be effective as follows. A no-fly zone will be maintained in the central nucleus of the ash emissions as safety cannot be guaranteed. An outer buffer zone will be created where operations will not, in principle, be impeded, even though there may be small amounts of ash in this zone. Decisions about operations in this zone will be taken in a co-ordinated manner by the authorities of the member states, based on all of the information available to the authorities. There will then be a third zone, unaffected by the ash, where no restrictions of any kind would be imposed on operations. This began to be implemented throughout European airspace from 5 o'clock this morning. However, as a result of increased eruptions yesterday afternoon and prevailing weather conditions, the anticipated prospects for easing flight restrictions in Irish airspace has not materialised. The latest information from the Irish Aviation Authority, issued at 4 p.m. this afternoon, is that Dublin and Cork airports will both remain closed until 8 p.m. this evening. Shannon airport is currently open but will close at 7 p.m. this evening. A further update from the Irish Aviation Authority will issue at 8 p.m. this evening.

The latest geological advice and information is that volcanic activity has entered a phase of less ash being generated. Met Éireann reports that while the forecast remains unchanged for the next few days, further evidence indicates that the weekend will bring changes to our weather pattern, which should enable flight restrictions to be eased over Ireland and Europe. I have asked my Department to contact the airlines to establish how they intend to resume services, including with the backlog, as airspace reopens.

It is difficult to estimate the number of Irish people stranded abroad but based on overall figures estimated by the European Commission, it could be 30,000 or more. However, the information available is that a significant proportion of this number may have successfully returned to Ireland by ferry. The task force was informed today that while demand is very heavy, ferries still have some spare capacity.

Yesterday, the Department of Foreign Affairs' crisis response centre dealt with over 1,100 inquiries, mainly seeking information about alternative travel arrangements. An official from the Irish embassy in Paris is positioned in Cherbourg to be of assistance to travellers.

In order to support visitors stranded in Ireland, Fáilte Ireland is in daily contact with 4,000 accommodation providers across the country and the 70 tourist offices. I understand that special accommodation rates in Bord Fáilte-approved premises are available for travellers who can demonstrate that they have been stranded. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation reported that while a number of companies have experienced particular difficulties, a substantial number of Irish exporters have found alternative channels for their products.

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