Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the operation of the aviation public service obligation flights; the cost of operating the air PSOs; his views on extending routes between Waterford and Dublin for example; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32522/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the terms of the relevant EU Council Regulation, (EEC) No. 2408/92 of 23 July 1992, Member States can establish a PSO route in respect of scheduled air services to an airport serving a peripheral or development region in its territory, where such air services are considered vital for the economic development of the regions concerned and where air carriers are not prepared to provide them on a commercial basis. In May of this year I announced the results of the tender competition for the new PSO contractual period (22 July 2008 — 21 July 2011). At that time I advised that the total cost of the programme over that period was expected to be €44.624m.

Unfortunately, it subsequently transpired that the successful bidder for the Knock/Dublin route, namely CityJet, was not in a position to operate the route. This led to the route not being serviced since 22nd July 2008. On 2nd September 2008 I announced that the contract for this route had been offered to Aer Arann, whose combined Knock and Derry bid was the next preferred bid for the route. This contract is due to commence today, 1st October 2008. This will bring the total three-year exchequer cost to €44,842m.

The question of introducing a PSO air service on the Waterford-Dublin route was first raised in 1993. I understand that the E.U. Commission refused to sanction the proposal because the route is relatively short and because Waterford was already adequately served by other transport modes. In the interim, the relevant surface transport links have been upgraded and continue to be improved. In the circumstances, I have no proposals to revive the question of including the airport in the Irish PSO air service programme.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will initiate a full review of all safety procedures in airports here and on all airlines operating in and out of airports here in view of the recent series of emergency incidents that have occurred over the past few months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32521/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) have the responsibility for the safety oversight of civil aviation in Ireland. The IAA licences aerodromes in the State and conducts safety audits on them as part of the licensing process and for maintenance of an aerodrome licence. During an audit IAA inspectors will assess the aerodrome's infrastructure, audit the aerodromes management of safety and assess the competence of those responsible for safety. Furthermore, the authorities at licensed aerodromes are required, under the IAA's Aerodrome Licensing Procedures, to establish an Emergency Plan which provides for the co-ordination of the actions to be taken in the event of an emergency occurring at the aerodrome or in its vicinity. These plans must be tested by conducting a full-scale emergency exercise every two years.

In addition, the IAA carries out detailed audits of all Irish airlines and Irish approved aviation companies in accordance with the standards set out by the European Union, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and previously the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA). In addition to formal audits, approved companies and airlines are subject to ad hoc audits and regular surveillance visits. The IAA carries out annual audits and assessments of all active aircraft on the Irish Civil Register and takes part in the European Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) programme which inspects foreign aircraft that operate into and out of Europe. The high standards of inspection and audit by the IAA are in turn assured by standardisation inspections of the IAA carried out by EASA on behalf of the European Union.