Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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243. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the fact that since the Irish Aviation Authority took charge of aviation security in 2013, there are only three full-time aviation security inspectors covering all the airports, exporters of air freight, trainers, in flight suppliers, airport suppliers, training material approval and so on. [29148/17]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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244. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the long delays in processing aviation security queries, training programmes and security programmes by the Irish Aviation Authority, delays which are causing great difficulty for aviation companies in remaining compliant with regulations, with consequences that some have been threatened with removal of their status. [29149/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 244 together.

In 2013 the Irish Aviation Authority was designated the Appropriate Authority for the purpose of European aviation security regulations EU 300/2008, as provided for under Statutory Instrument 551 of 2012, the European Communities (Civil Aviation Security) (Amendment) Regulations 2012.

This involves responsibility on the IAA for compliance monitoring based upon a National Aviation Security Quality Control Programme (NCASQCP) against implementation of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) and includes approval of regulated entities aviation security programmes and training programmes and related matters.

The purpose of aviation security oversight by the IAA is to ensure that regulated entities are fully implementing security controls in accordance with their responsibilities under the NCASP. This oversight does not substitute for the responsibility of regulated entities to ensure compliance.

It is also to be noted that the 2016 EU Commission Inspection of the Irish Appropriate Authority, which includes as assessment of its capability to fulfil the NCASQCP, has been closed with no outstanding findings.

Nevertheless, in order to ensure the sustainability of the current arrangements, my Department made a commitment at the National Civil Aviation Development Forum earlier this year, to bring forward legislative amendments to extend the existing cost recovery mechanism which is used currently to support the IAA Safety Regulation Directorate activities to also include its aviation security regulation functions and activities. This could also support the engagement of additional  resources if deemed necessary by the IAA subject to its ongoing assessment of capacity to meet aviation security regulation requirements.

My Department as part of a wider proposal for aviation security and safety consulted last year on proposed legislative amendments which would support cost recovery by the IAA to extend to aviation security regulation. This aspect of the proposal will be expedited this year and my Department will shortly bring forward a Memorandum for Government seeking permission to proceed to drafting of legislation on this matter.