Written answers

Wednesday, 12 December 2018

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Civil Aviation Regulation

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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38. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the consideration given to the possibility of the Commission for Aviation Regulation being selected as the competent authority in relation to EU 598/14; and when that consideration took place. [51985/18]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Commission for Aviation Regulation was considered along with other options late last year when it became clear that the Irish Aviation Authority was no longer a viable option, for reasons which I have advised this House of on a number of occasions.

The Commission for Aviation is primarily an economic regulator, with some additional licensing functions related to the travel industry and some consumer rights responsibilities. It is a small public body - with a total current staff of 17- and its main business is its regulatory role in determining the maximum level of airport charges that can be charged by the daa at Dublin Airport. That job alone absorbs a huge amount of its capacity. The advice I have received is that the Commission simply does not represent a viable option in light of the nature of the work demanded of a competent authority under Regulation 598/2014.

I understand that officials of my Department shared some briefing material with you and other members of this House last week, among which was a summary assessment of the merits of the various options. This summary assessment captures the outcome of deliberations which my officials undertook, and which included consulting with a number of other Government departments, to establish what option offered, in the round, the best alternative to the Irish Aviation Authority. It was determined that Fingal County Council was the best option, and that decision has been validated during the very detailed legal and policy work that has gone into producing the Aviation Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill, 2018.

I know that the Deputy has objections to the appointment of Fingal County Council as the noise regulator on a point of principle, and I respect the Deputy's position in that regard. However, I am satisfied that this is the best choice, and I have every confidence in Fingal County Council's organisational capability to deliver an independent, transparent and informed regulatory process.

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