Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

——or because I mentioned Deputy Deasy's wedding in jest. In earnest, passengers should not be bounced from one authority to another and then asked to write to the authorities in Rome and so on.

As for Senator Leyden's comments in respect of Ireland West Airport, Knock, I welcome the successful development by the Knock authorities. It is a key infrastructural asset for economic and tourism development in the west. I travelled to the airport earlier this year and had the opportunity of meeting its general manager and chairman who brought some issues for which they had sought funding to my attention. I was happy that these were followed up and that within a couple of months they received the required moneys. I acknowledge that the need for major investment at the airport to promote growth has been identified. That is being proactive and how things should be.

I am a strong supporter of market-driven airport development, not only in Ireland West Airport, Knock, but in all our regional airports. I congratulate all the airport authorities which have developed their facilities. I fly on a regular basis to an airport in my own base of north Dublin, namely, the premier airport, Dublin International Airport. Equally, I congratulate the Cork Airport Authority which is undertaking an enormous investment programme.

I was asked about the cost of this measure and can state the passage of this Bill will not involve any additional costs. We contribute approximately €6 million to Eurocontrol which is recovered from the Irish Aviation Authority.

Senator Henry raised an interesting question, for which I thank her, about the operation of private helicopters. I raised the issue with my departmental officials before coming into the House. Senator Wilson has also raised the issue. A stringent and structured regime for the control of helicopters and their pilots is in place. Certain restrictions apply to the flight paths of helicopters. Equally, I understand there are exemptions as to when helicopters or light aircraft are obliged to communicate and obtain flight clearance, etc. I will ask my officials to note Senator Henry's comments — I know they have done so already — and to communicate the criteria that apply in respect of the use of helicopters to her. I agree with her observation that helicopters have become a regular mode of transport for a greater number. The Irish Aviation Authority is the responsible body regarding the operation of helicopters and applies the highest possible safety standards. I wish to discuss the issue of safety later, in respect of light aircraft and helicopters.

Senator Dooley touched on a number of subjects. I have noted his comments, particularly on outsourcing by aviation companies and the position of Shannon Airport. If one examines Shannon and some of its competing demands, such as the developments in Cork, to which I have alluded, Knock, Sligo, a number of other regional airports and Dublin Airport, there is an opportunity for it to develop on a regional basis in line with the others and attract its own market. Good work is being carried out in this regard. People such as Senator Dooley have great roles to play in leading the potential of likely developments.

With regard to safety regulation being a case of one size fits all, there is no question of low-cost carriers having lower standards of safety as stringent criteria are applied across the board. I will be unequivocal in this regard as I do not wish people to have a view that there is a difference in safety standards. I also wish to congratulate everyone involved in our aviation industry as, excusing the pun, they fly a tremendous flag for it, whether they are the operators in the sky or on the ground. We have a significant safety record due to the stringent protocols and procedures and very strict safety criteria in place. In international terms, we rank very well in this respect and, as such, I wish to congratulate the individual players, namely, the operators, pilots, hostesses and other staff involved in putting planes into the sky and the mechanical, technical, airport authority, ground and support staff involved, whether one is discussing anything from light aircraft or helicopters to companies such as Aer Lingus, Ryanair, Aer Arann and other Irish operators. The small number of cargo companies operating out of Ireland also have good safety records.

As such, safety is paramount in aviation and a central element of the revised convention is ensuring the highest practical safety standards are maintained while maximising the capacity of the air traffic management, ATM, system. The implementation of safety standards in Ireland is clearly the responsibility of the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, which falls under my responsibility as the Minister of State at the Department of Transport. I meet with the IAA whenever it deems suitable. It knows that my door is always open and I have a good rapport with it. I congratulate Mr. Eamonn Brennan of the IAA and his staff, as I am impressed with their commitment, dedication and enthusiasm in going about their business. I have visited a number of the IAA's centres and have been impressed at every level.

Senator Paddy Burke referred to the delay in the decision on the second terminal for Dublin Airport. The Government took a number of key decisions in May of this year concerning future aviation policy, including a possible third party investment in Aer Lingus and the building of a second terminal. These decisions will provide a secure foundation for the development of Irish aviation. The Dublin Airport Authority is highly conscious of the need to avoid any slippage in the timetable for the second terminal, which will allow for growth in passenger traffic. Just under 20 million passengers per annum fly through Dublin Airport. Based on the information given to me by my officials, this level of investment will allow the airport to accommodate approximately 30 million passengers, a full 50% increase.

If one examines what the Government is doing in Cork, Shannon, Knock, Sligo and all of the other regional airports, one will be impressed when flying over Dublin Airport or Cork Airport. We are discussing new terminal buildings and a level of investment that is unprecedented in Irish aviation. I am particularly pleased and proud to be a member of a Government that is taking the aviation business so seriously and putting in that level of investment.

Senator Paddy Burke raised another issue, namely, the retention and sale of aircraft under the revised convention. Ireland is under no compulsion to legislate for the creation of liens or joint and several liabilities as an operator and owner of aircraft and has not made provision for it in this Bill. By not introducing the creation of a lien and joint and several liability, it cannot be said that Ireland is not discharging its obligations under the new Eurocontrol convention. It is a matter of choice for a contracting party to introduce domestic law to this effect. I will ask my Department officials to communicate with the Senator on this issue. He will be satisfied with the Irish position as I have outlined it.

I thank Senator Wilson for his kind comments and clear, broad understanding of the Bill. He is one of several Senators who have been in regular contact with me about a number of issues relating to aviation. He referred to the pressure on our infrastructure, in particular the road network in County Cavan. The Government is making significant investments in our roads building projects. We are spending approximately €115 million each month and will continue to do so in order to achieve what the Senator has indicated is important, namely, an appropriate infrastructure network, whether it is road, rail, air or any other method of transport, including new modes. I am pleased to inform the House that our ten-year investment framework will be announced in detail within the coming days. Some of what Senator Wilson has asked me to deliver for the people of the BMW region will be included and he will be impressed by and satisfied with it, as will every Member of this House.