Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline his position with regard to the Waterford Pilot Training course; if they will cover the costs for the pilots to continue their training with another airline; and if he will enforce stricter regulations within the Irish Aviation Authority to ensure disasters like this never happen again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42832/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As I have previously stated the situation which arose is most unfortunate and came about from the failure of the Pilot Training College (PTC), a privately-owned and operated flight training school, to meet its contractual obligations to its students in relation to the completion of their training.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has responsibility for approving and overseeing flight training organisations in Ireland.  The Authority’s primary functions in this regard are the oversight of the safety, quality and standard of the training being delivered, the conduct of examinations and flight tests.  They look at whether the company has sufficient resources to safely provide the training required to the internationally determined standards.  They have no involvement in, or responsibility for, the contractual arrangements between flight schools and their students.  The regulation of Flight Training Organisations which is carried out by the IAA is based on European and International rules and standards and the IAA conducts its activities in this regard in the same manner as in other States where these common rules and standards apply.  Unfortunately PTC is not an isolated example; in recent years a number of flight schools in other jurisdictions, including in the UK, have collapsed as the global economic downturn deepened.

While I have considerable sympathy for those facing personal financial loss, there are likely to be a significant number of creditors in this case including foreign students, airlines and other suppliers and these will be dealt with in the normal manner under company law following the order of the High Court for company to be wound up. Almost all companies in the State are regulated or licensed by the State or a State agency or body and this fact does not confer liability on the State for the debts incurred by the companies.