Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I emphasise that there is no question of any nature of Cadet Jevens being responsible for the events that occurred. I dearly wish that the family understood and fully accepted that there is no issue in that context. In the context of the various safety recommendations of the air accident investigation unit, I am advised that all seven safety recommendations have been acted upon or implemented. Owing to the nature of some of the recommendations, work remains ongoing in two specific areas. These relate to the recommendation concerning external input into the Air Corps safety management system and the recommendation on implementation of flight data monitoring. The position in respect of the former is that the Air Corps has accepted the suggestion of inclusion of external input into the safety management system auditing process and identified a suitable expert to visit the Air Corps in this regard. It is anticipated that the safety management system review will be completed in 2013. The position in respect of flight data monitoring is that a study on this matter has been completed and steps have been taken to commence implementation of recommendations made on equipping all aircraft in the fleet with flight data monitoring.

Based on the reports that were published, neither of these matters was an issue that resulted in the tragic events that occurred. It is clear and without doubt from all of the reports that the accident was a consequence of the training pilot or instructor pilot suffering spatial disorientation in conditions of poor visibility, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain. That was the reason for this event. As I stated, the Department will continue to try to provide to the family any further information of relevance we can and we will do what we can to set their minds at rest. In so far as there are any suggestions of any nature of any legal issues in respect of which the family have concern, I will deal with such matters based on the best advice available to me.

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