Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of encroachments into airspace controlled by Dublin air traffic control in 2005; the locations where these originated from; if any were designated a near miss; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22010/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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This is a matter primarily for the Irish Aviation Authority, which is responsible for establishing controlled airspace for the safe operation of aircraft, and not one for which my Department has operational responsibility. The Irish Aviation Authority has informed my Department that there were approximately 35 encroachments of controlled airspace by light aircraft in 2005. The vast majority of these were minor encroachments that did not jeopardise the safety of commercial aviation. All unauthorised penetrations of controlled airspace are noted by the IAA and serious encroachments are followed up by the Authority with the party concerned. I understand that none of the encroachments in 2005 gave rise to a near miss event.