Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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221. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the joint declaration by Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands has not been supported regarding the social agenda in aviation towards socially responsible connectivity in view of precarious employment for aviation workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7442/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The success of the Single Aviation Market over the past 25 years clearly demonstrates that the innovative approaches that have been adopted by a number of EU airlines have led to significant growth in connectivity and reduction in air fares. It is vital that airlines are afforded the opportunity to employ different business and operational models, depending on the nature and scale of their operations and in response to consumer demand. Indeed, there is a growing trend towards hybrid business models which combine the advantages of the low cost model with elements of the more traditional legacy carrier model.

Irish regulation of employment and social protection is in line with all EU regulations and there is a wide range of Irish and EU law governing employment rights generally, which also apply to employees in the aviation sector in Ireland.

Issues that have been raised by a minority of EU Member States in the "Joint Declaration" in relation to employment models in the Aviation sector are equally valid for other employment sectors far larger than aviation. In order to maintain the integrity of the wider EU Social dimension, the matters raised in the “Joint Declaration” should be addressed through Employment legislation at EU and Member State level, rather than at sectoral level.

In developing proposals in relation to these issues, the interests of consumers and all other aviation stakeholders should be carefully balanced.