Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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1615. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to date regarding a new national aviation policy; the number of submissions received during the consultation phase; the next steps before the new policy is published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37210/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The aviation industry is a key enabler of economic growth so it is important that there is a clear policy framework in place to facilitate its continued development and to optimise the contribution the sector can make to the Irish economy. To this end, I have launched a process to develop a new national aviation policy.  As a first step, my Department and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) hosted a conference on 3 December 2012 in the National Convention Centre to hear the views of stakeholders and to start the debate.

Taking account of the issues that that were raised at the conference, an Issues Paper was published on my Department's website in February 2013. The paper poses a number of questions and covers eight broad areas: Airports; Air Services; Regulation and Governance; Aircraft Leasing and Finance; Aerospace, Education and Training; General Aviation; and Sustainability.

A total of 74 submissions were received in response to the consultation, from a wide range of stakeholders. The number and quality of the submissions received is very encouraging and demonstrates the strong interest there is in shaping future aviation policy.  

The submissions are currently being reviewed and the intention is that a draft National Aviation Policy Statement will be issued before the end of the year, which will provide further opportunity for stakeholder input before the adoption of the new policy document in early 2014.