Written answers

Thursday, 31 May 2018

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Irish Aviation Authority

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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202. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the decision to split the IAA into two, that is, regulation and safety and air traffic control; the analysis that was carried out; the consultation that was conducted; if legislation is needed; and if so, the timeline for same. [24079/18]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Government Decision to separate the IAA’s regulatory functions from its for-profit, commercial air traffic control service is in keeping with broader Government policy on modernising sectoral regulation.  The current regime dates from the 1990s, and it perhaps reflects norms from that era which are increasingly out of line with modern developments in EU and international aviation regulation. There are very few examples remaining in Europe of institutional structures that jointly provide air navigation services and oversee industry regulation.

The objective of the reform initiative is to create a single national aviation regulator responsible for economic, safety and security regulation, and separately a sole commercial air traffic control service.  There is inherent conflict in  the IAA’s current dual role as a commercial air navigation service provider and an independent regulator of the airline industry, including regulator of air navigation services. This reform initiative is about implementing best practice regulatory arrangements. It is intended to further promote Ireland’s position to the forefront of change and development in the aviation sector.  It will further improve the existing high level of safety oversight as borne out by the audits of the IAA undertaken by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.   

I recognise that such structural reform involves a number of complexities and I am mindful of the need to manage the transition to the new arrangements carefully, including the enactment of supporting legislation in as diligent and expeditious a manner as possible. It is important to ensure that affected workers and the broader industry stakeholders are kept informed, and regular consultation to that end will be a feature throughout.  It is equally important to pursue the implementation of policy that represents clear best practice, all the more so when safety is at issue, rather than shy away from necessary change in favour of the status quo or vested interests. 

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