Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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163. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to amend the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4447/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020 was published at the end of last year. It is a priority piece of reforming legislation, which I hope will move through the legislative process at pace, beginning next month.

As provided for in the published Bill, the proposed institutional reforms will create a single national aviation regulator responsible for safety, security and economic regulation (including consumer affairs) by combining the regulatory functions of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and the Commission for Aviation Regulation. It will also separate out the for-profit air traffic control services functions of the IAA and place them in a newly formed commercial semi-state company, the Irish Air Navigation Service. Importantly, in the context of the structural changes required, it guarantees the terms and conditions of all current staff.

The Bill seeks to modernise and strengthen the regulation and oversight of the Irish aviation industry in order to secure - for the long term - Ireland's position as global leader in aviation (which demands best practice regulatory structures and enforcement) and to advance and protect consumer interests. I believe this Bill lends itself to broad, cross-party support. I welcome the scrutiny and contribution of Oireachtas members to come, and ultimately I am hopeful for its safe passage through the Houses in the coming months.