Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I reassure the Senator and the aviation community that the issue of charts has been addressed adequately. I understand the public alarm that has been raised by various media reports on recent events. It is useful that the media cover such incidents, but it is also important that I reassure people on matters, as they stand.

While I understand the general background to the matter raised, it is important to emphasise that there is an active investigation under way into the accident involving the R116 off the Mayo coast. The investigation is being conducted by the Air Accident Investigation Unit, AAIU, which is charged with examining all relevant issues it determines are pertinent to the incident it is investigating. I understand the ongoing public interest in this matter, but it is very important that the AAIU be given the time and space it needs to do its work and report on its findings. For this reason, any matter discussed here should not, in any circumstance, be construed as relating to that investigation.

The Senator rightly referred to concerns about aeronautical charts and maps. I wish to reassure him on that front. The Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, is the independent regulator established under statute to regulate civil aviation in Ireland. It carries out this function in accordance with a comprehensive suite of EU and international rules and regulations built up over many years which govern civil aviation on a global basis. The IAA has legal responsibility for validating and approving aeronautical charts for publication, as defined by international standards agreed under the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, the UN agency that governs global civil aviation. The authority takes the same approach used throughout the world. The charts are made available through what is known as the integrated Aeronautical Information Publication, AIP, which is available for pilots and third party suppliers to access and use. The authority has advised me that there is no reason whatsoever for the Irish aviation community or emergency services to have concerns about aeronautical maps and charts. All maps and charts produced meet the highest international standards.

I am also advised by the authority that it engages continuously with the Irish aviation community and encourages all visual flying chart users to bring to its attention any comment on the portrayal or content of aeronautical and topographical information. When amended, aeronautical charts are updated by Notice to Airmen, NOTAM, and incorporated into the aforementioned Aeronautical Information Publication, AlP. In addition, I understand the IAA hosts regular meetings of the General Aviation Safety Council of Ireland, a volunteer body made up of representatives from general aviation in Ireland that meets on a regular basis. One of its primary functions is to promote safety awareness among all those involved in the Irish aviation community. Therefore, I urge that any current concern be routed through these established reporting lines.

It is important that this House recognise that the authority is a hugely respected organisation within international aviation and subject to regular independent outside audit. In particular, because of the work of the authority, Ireland is ranked by the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organisation as being among the best in the world in the safety oversight of civil aviation. It is in the top ten in global terms and second in Europe. Of particular note, in the ICAO audit process, is the fact that Ireland received a 100% result in the area of regulation and safety oversight in procedures for air navigation services, charting, aeronautical information services, airspace and aeronautical data.

I believe we have the highest standards in this area. I have no doubt, too, that this is authenticated and properly regulated, but if the Senator has specific issues he would like to see addressed, I will be happy to bring them to the attention of the relevant authority.