Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

One of the things that gives us all great confidence when we go to fly is the level of safety that exists in the world of aviation. If one peruses the air accident investigation reports on any air accident one will see that the level of detail that is available is incredible. I mean if a part is replaced on any aircraft that flies then one can trace it all the way to the very machine that made it, which gives people confidence. I have no difficulty with the Irish Aviation Authority briefing us. Indeed, the IAA has a statutory obligation to advise the Minister but I am not sure that it goes as far as telling the Minister how to write legislation or what legislation should be written.

I believe these amendments will do two things. They will ensure that meetings take place and are scheduled and will provide us with written reports, which I hope that the public will have access to, and overall will increase the level of confidence that we have in the aviation industry. I ask the Minister of State to look at the amendments from that perspective. It means that someone like herself who flies can have confidence knowing that the licenceholders meet on a regular basis, their issues are taken on board and the minutes of the meetings are available, which all gives confidence that the system is going right.

I accept the bona fides of Captain Jim Gavin. However, he may take up another job tomorrow, so the commitment that he gave would no longer be relevant so who will take over? I give that as an example of why we seek this provision in legislation. If we get that in legislation, then we are sure this will always happen. It has been said that if the same system that operates in aviation was applied in an operating theatre then fewer people would die. I ask that we take both of these amendments in the best possible faith and that we are allowed to progress with the rest of this legislation.