Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

67. To ask the Minister for Defence if he has received and read the report he commissioned to investigate the allegations that Air Corps inspectors tasked with certifying repairs and modifications on aircraft were not qualified to sign-off on the said works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2787/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I received a disclosure under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, and follow-up correspondence, from an individual alleging that a number of Air Corps Aircraft Inspectors have authorisation to certify sheet metal repairs and modifications on aircraft types currently in service in the Air Corps without the required qualifications or experience to do so.

I directed that an independent review be carried out by external competent experts into all of the issues raised in the protected disclosure. The Independent Review Team consisted of a retired Secretary General of a Government Department and two officials from the Irish Aviation Authority. The Review Team was tasked with undertaking a full review of the allegations by assessing the technical position and carrying out a thorough review of all relevant documentation, records, submissions, processes and procedures in use by the Air Corps.

The Independent Review Team has now completed its work and has forwarded its report to my Department, including its findings and recommendations. There are no airworthiness issues arising from the allegations. I will give careful consideration to the report in the next few days.