Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the increase in aviation safety incidents in recent years; if he has discussed the problem with the Irish Aviation Authority; his views on whether reforms are necessary in the monitoring of aviation safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6630/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As I stated in my reply to Question 5821/07 the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 established the IAA 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 Irish Aviation Authority 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.