Seanad debates
Thursday, 20 July 2017
Business of Seanad
Air Safety
10:30 am
John O'Mahony (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for coming in to hear this debate. He is certainly earning his keep this morning and debunking the idea that everyone around here is on holidays. I thank him for that.
I raise a serious point in regard to the standards of maps and charts used by the aviation community, including the emergency services. I have been contacted by individuals who represent those in the more amateur side of it, in light aircraft and recreational aviation, parachuting, balloon, etc. Concerns were raised again following last week's "Prime Time" programme which stated that some flaws in the maps and charts were raised by pilots a number of years ago. I do not want to get into the case of the tragedy in Blacksod Bay. There is an ongoing investigation and I do not want to interfere with that. However, I make the general point of flaws that are in maps and charts. What I am asking is that the fears of the aviation community would be allayed for once and for all.
I refer to the absence of any depiction of high ground, hills or mountain in the islands, for instance, along the west coast of Ireland. The maps given to me reveal that even though there is a mountain, Slievemore, of 2,000 ft. on Achill Island, which is only five miles from Blacksod Bay, it is not shown on the chart. Instead, it appears that the ground is flat. There is a figure given but there is no tinting on the map. I can supply the Minister with the map that was given to me, and an amended version in which there is a significant difference as well. As was stated on the "Prime Time" programme, the UNESCO World Heritage site in Skellig Michael is recorded on the chart as 56 m when the actual height is 217 m. It reported other areas where spot heights are missing as well.
The Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, which is the agency charged with regulating this, states that the maps and charts are being continually upgraded and corrected. Has this happened in the 2017 version? I note there were some new maps supposed to be put in use this year. I would worry at the following IAA statement to a Sunday newspaper on Sunday last:
Be informed that while all care and attention was taken in the production of this chart and the information depicted is drawn from the most reliable sources, the IAA makes no warranty to its accuracy or completeness and disclaims all or any liability. The information is useful for orientation, navigation and general visualisation of terrain but it does not guarantee clearance above terrain or man-made obstacles.
Have the flaws that I have pointed out been corrected in the 2017 version so that we can put some of these concerns to bed?
Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I thank Senator John O'Mahony for raising this issue which, as he will be aware, is both topical and sensitive. I will try and address the individual matters which he referred to. I do not know the answer to the question pertaining to Achill Island, but I will try to get it for the Senator, if that is appropriate.
John O'Mahony (Fine Gael)
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I can give the Minister the details later.
Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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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.
John O'Mahony (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister.