Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on whether a safety critical sector such as the air traffic control system can be run on an ongoing basis of heavy overtime levels; the level of overtime for air traffic control officers his Department finds acceptable; if he will provide additional funding to the Irish Aviation Authority for the training of more air traffic control officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9630/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Aviation Authority is a commercial semi-state company established under the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993. It is responsible for the provision of air traffic management, engineering and related air traffic technological infrastructure in Irish controlled airspace; for communications and associated technological infrastructure on the North Atlantic; and for safety regulation of Ireland's Civil Aviation Industry.

I have no function in relation to the deployment and working arrangements of air traffic controllers, which are operational matters for the IAA. The IAA is self-financing and does not receive any State funding, therefore the question of providing additional funding for training air traffic control personnel does not arise.

As regards the safety of the air traffic control system overall, it should be noted that, uniquely in Europe, the IAA is subject to a safety audit carried out by an independent entity, appointed by the Minister pursuant to Section 32 of the Irish Aviation Act 1993, to ensure that the IAA continues to maintain the highest possible safety standards. The next such audit is scheduled to take place this year. The effectiveness of the safety arrangements has been consistently confirmed in the audits carried out and I am satisfied that the IAA operates to a safety standard that ranks among industry leaders.