Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 3, before section 1, to insert the following new section:

"1.—In this Act—

'the Act of 1993' means the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993;

'the Act of 1998' means the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act 1998.".

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Callely, to the House. On Second Stage I said that we have no problem with this important Bill's speedy passage through the House. However, some concerns, of which I am sure the Minister of State is aware, have emerged, particularly regarding how Eurocontrol will affect Irish-based companies and operators in the aviation industry. These amendments have been tabled to ensure the Bill gives an undertaking to Irish-based operating and leasing companies.

I congratulate Eurocontrol on the tremendous job it does. Worldwide, it has over 2,000 staff and co-ordinates 35 national aviation authorities, in addition to joint aviation authorities. It co-ordinates hundreds of airports and airlines ranging in size from a single aircraft to medium-sized companies, such as Aer Lingus and Ryanair, to enormous international fleets, such as Air France, KLM, Lufthansa and British Airways. It also co-ordinates other aircraft, both private and military, the European Aviation Safety Authority, NATO, the European Space Agency, the European Commission, the International Civil Aviation Authority and many more. It is a huge undertaking for the agency's 2,000 staff who process 25,000 flights daily. It is an enormous effort to track these flights, many of which go through different airspaces and route charging systems. Bringing all this together requires great diligence on behalf of the staff.

The amendments I have tabled are to put the Irish-based aviation industry operators on an even keel with their counterparts in other countries. On Second Stage, I noted that, as the Bill is presented, there would be an unfair advantage to operators working in other states. When one considers the number of leasing companies and operators working out of Ireland, these amendments must be carefully considered.

Aviation companies operating in Ireland are at a disadvantage in how Eurocontrol will charge or put a lien on an aircraft. In some cases, the operator of the aircraft may also be its owner. However, in most cases aircraft operators lease craft from leasing companies. A situation could arise where an operator would run up large bills with Eurocontrol. If the operator fails to pay, Eurocontrol can ground the aircraft and pursue the leasing company, the ultimate owners of the aircraft. This is unfair when compared with how it is operated in other countries. This is significant because there are a large number of leasing companies in this country with operators based in Ireland. The Minister of State must carefully consider these interlinked amendments. It makes no sense to deal with one and not the others.