Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that adequate resources are available to the Irish Aviation Authority to provide the appropriate level and quality of oversight of Irish aviation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5750/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Aviation Authority was established under the Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993 with responsibility for the safety regulation of the Irish aviation industry and the provision of Air Traffic Management services in Irish airspace. The Authority exercises its safety regulation functions and service provision functions in accordance with the norms of international standards and procedures, both European, i.e. EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency), JAA (Joint Aviation Authorities), Eurocontrol, and global, ICAO (the International Civil Aviation Authority). It is, furthermore, the competent authority for purposes of the EU EASA Regulations.

The question of resources within the Authority is entirely a matter for the Board. The Authority has advised me that its workforce in the safety regulation area has been reinforced in the operations and airworthiness areas to take account of growth in the aviation industry.

My responsibility in relation to the safety functions of the Authority arises under Section 32 of the 1993 Act, which requires me periodically, to commission an examination of the performance by the company of its functions insofar as they relate to the application and enforcement of technical and safety standards in relation to aircraft and air navigation. The most recent examination took place in 2004 and concluded that there is a general, positive and proactive attitude and competence vis-À-vis safety and the maintenance of a high safety level. It is my intention to commission a further examination this year in accordance with the provisions of Section 32.

The Authority has also recently being subject to external review by EASA and the JAA (Joint Aviation Authorities) and I understand that these audits concluded that the Irish Aviation Authority is performing its functions satisfactorily and is appropriately resourced for its task.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of inspections carried out per annum by the Irish Aviation Authority; his views on the increased number of safety incidents which have occurred in the industry here in recent months; if he discussed the matter with the IAA; if he has sought improvements in safety standards within the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5821/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993 established the Irish Aviation Authority and among the primary functions conferred on it under the Act is safety regulation of the Irish aviation industry. The Authority exercises its safety regulation functions in accordance with international standards set at both European level by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) and globally by the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO). To that end a total of 900 hundred plus inspections were conducted in 2006 as part of an integrated audit programme of flight operations and maintenance in Irish Aviation.

As Minister for Transport my responsibility in relation to the safety functions of the Irish Aviation Authority arises under Section 32 of the 1993 Act, which requires me periodically, to commission an examination of the performance by the company of its functions insofar as they relate to the application and enforcement of technical and safety standards in relation to aircraft and air navigation. The most recent examination took place in 2004 and concluded that there is a general, positive and proactive attitude and competence vis-À-vis safety and the maintenance of a high safety level in the organisation. It is my intention to commission a further examination this year in accordance with the provisions of Section 32.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) in my Department investigates accidents and incidents on a case-by-case basis. None of the AAIU investigations and reports on recent Public Scheduled Transport category occurrences have identified broad industry deficiencies. Reports of accidents and incidents investigated by the AAIU, including any safety recommendations made and responded to are publicly available and are published on my Department's AAIU website, www.aaiu.ie.