John McGahon (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to touch on a couple of points in my brief contribution. The main point on which I wish to focus most of my remarks is the concept of the national peer support framework that is overseen by a new safety regulator for aviation workers. It is vitally important for three specific reasons. The first is that peer support will enhance flight safety when people have an opportunity to speak to each other about their experiences. The second is national oversight of peer support in Irish airlines. When that occurs, it means we ensure that best practice standards are maintained at all times. Third, is the new safety regulator which Senator Buttimer mentioned. That has the ability to establish an industry-leading approach to the issue as well. That must be considered in the context of the overall aspect of the national peer support framework.

I commend the Minister of State and the Government, to a degree, on the amount of engagement in the past year, in particular with the Irish Air Line Pilots Association.I know that when I came into this House one year ago, aviation was not something in which I had a particular interest or something about which I had a new huge knowledge either. However, I refer not so much to the lobbying but rather to the detailed briefing notes these people have given us. In particular, Joe May from County Louth, with whom I have become very friendly over the last year and a half and who is a member of that organisation, has been able to provide all Oireachtas Members from County Louth and in this House in general with a detailed overview of the situation over the past year. In my role as an Oireachtas Member, where I am trying to deal with an issue on which I do not have a lot of experience, it has been very helpful. I want to pay tribute to those people for the work they have done in keeping us updated in the Oireachtas over the last year and a half.