Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister's reply does not adequately address the concerns arising from the allegations set out in this programme. Where any question is raised in regard to passenger safety there will inevitably be concern. Another cause for concern is the potential reputational damage to the airline in question as a result of the charges made against it.

I assumed the Minister would have initiated some type of action, as deemed appropriate by him, in order to ascertain whether there is, in fact, an issue in regard to passenger safety. The Minister, however, has indicated that he is taking the word of the Irish Aviation Authority on this point, which I accept.

Notwithstanding that, there is a role for the Minister in ensuring the publicity generated as a result of the allegations is not allowed to damage the reputation of the airline. This relates not only to the economic impact on the airline and the benefits that accrue to the State but the potential impact on tourism. I thought the Minister would take a more aggressive approach to dealing with the allegations in the programme.

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