Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the new air accident investigation unit report into an incident (details supplied); if he is reviewing the staffing levels of air traffic control personnel in Dublin Airport and all national and regional airports at night in view of the AAUI report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16565/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of my Department has statutory responsibility for investigating aircraft accidents and serious incidents in the State under the Air Navigation (Notification and Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No. 205 of 1997).

The Chief Inspector submitted a report on this incident to me on 9th April. Three safety recommendations are made in the report including a recommendation that the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) examine the manning levels at the tower at Dublin airport at night and during periods of routine maintenance.

Under the Regulations, a national authority to whom a safety recommendation is addressed must submit a statement to the Chief Inspector, as soon as practicable after receiving the recommendation, indicating the corresponding preventative action taken or under consideration or the reasons why no action will be taken.

I understand that the IAA has recently advised the Chief Inspector that they accept the safety recommendation.