Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is something incredibly weird about all of this. I certainly do not have the answers but I will keep asking the questions. There are issues with search and rescue oversight in this State - on that I am absolutely clear. There is a lack of clarity and there are gaps in responsibility.

Regarding the Irish Aviation Authority specifically, does the Minister think the current corporate governance structure of the authority is appropriate for good safety regulatory oversight and enforcement? In particular, I would like him to comment on the following characteristics of the Irish Aviation Authority. Is the IAA good for oversight? Uniquely among national aviation authorities, the IAA is not subject to legislation on freedom of information is not subject to investigation by the Ombudsman, has a commercial mandate in aviation and has the power to write its own statutory instruments without direct input from an elected body. I am deeply concerned by the lack of an independent aviation safety oversight regime and the fact that the IAA has a variety of characteristics that would appear to work against its being effective and transparent. In the specific case of Rescue 116, there are issues with rescue and oversight. IALPA, which represents the pilots at the coalface of this, has been asking the Minister these questions. Is it not about time he started listening to them?

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