Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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584. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the resolution of the European Parliament on social dumping in the EU and in particular the request to the Commission and the member states to review rules on initial training and on the licensing of air crew with a view to eliminating shortcomings leading to the exploitation of pilots. [28368/16]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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589. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to conduct a review of the relevant rules here and to discuss the concerns of a number of the professional bodies which as stakeholders have already conveyed their concerns regarding the exploitation of many trainee pilots here to his Department on many occasions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28607/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 584 and 589 together.

In relation to training and licensing of aircrew the National Aviation Policy (NAP) for Ireland published in August 2015 sets out a number of actions designed to continue the development of training and education to support the future demands of aviation in Ireland. The policy position contained in the NAP is to support the development of pilot training with a primary emphasis on the delivery of safe and competent pilots consistent with European standards of technical competence and quality control.

My Department continues to work closely with relevant aviation stakeholders, such as the Irish Aviation Authority, to ensure developments at EU level provide a consistent and effective regulatory regime for pilot training and licensing. My Department and the IAA are actively involved in discussions at EU level on the revision of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) safety regulation 216/2008 which sets out, inter alia, the basic framework for pilot training and licensing.

The policy also recognises the need to support the development of a social dimension in the EU internal aviation market with a view to ensuring that labour rights are not eroded and with appropriate regard to the competitiveness of EU and Irish aviation.

The National Civil Aviation Development Forum (NCADF) established by my Department in February 2016 brings together key decision makers across Government, aviation and development agencies and the aviation sector provides a platform for collaboration to ensure, inter alia, that aviation continues to provide safe, secure and fair employment opportunities across all aspects of the aviation industry.