Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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130. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has made a decision regarding the licence application by the long-haul service of Norwegian Air International to operate its service using a base here; if he has considered the implications regarding labour standards and labour-related rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7721/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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EU rules govern the granting of Air Operator Certificates and Air Carrier Operating Licences (Regulations 965/2012 and 1008/2008 respectively).  The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is the statutory body responsible for granting  Air Operator Certificates and the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) is the statutory body responsible for issuing Air Carrier Operating Licences. I have no role in relation to the grant of these licences.  I understand that having assessed the applications on the basis of the criteria set down in those EU Regulations, the IAA and the CAR have recently granted both an Irish AOC and Operating licence to NAI.  Ireland has a strong reputation for robust regulatory oversight of civil aviation and our safety oversight regime has been recognised as among the best in the world by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. I wish to underline the importance that Ireland attaches to the social dimension of the Open Skies Agreement and our commitment to the full implementation of Article 17 bis of the Agreeement.

My colleagues the Ministers for  Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Social Protection have responsibility for labour matters and social insurance matters respectively.  NAI has stated publically that it always follows the rules and regulations in all markets it operate in and offers competitive wages and conditions to all crew, regardless of crew base. My understanding is that NAI does not currently plan to operate services out of Ireland or base any of its aircraft crew in Ireland.