Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

That was a detailed answer and it is difficult to get a clear message from it. I look forward to reading it later. I have met the National Transport Authority and as yet there is no expertise on aviation in that body. A distinction must be made between regulating bus services, rail services and taxis and operating Irish airspace from a regulatory, safety and air traffic controller point of view. I am cautious about amalgamating the Irish Aviation Authority into the National Transport Authority unless there is clear separation if they are under the same roof because they are entirely different industries. The question is whether the Minister still plans to go ahead with that and, if so, what is the likely date for moving the Irish Aviation Authority into the National Transport Authority offices because it seems to be a long way off?

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