Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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47. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views following the recent disclosure in the Sunday papers that dozens of flights of an airline (details supplied) were grounded due to widespread GPS failure; if he or his Department are concerned about this; and the repercussions that will occur if this were to happen mid-flight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30760/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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This is an operational matter for the airline and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) have confirmed that there was no related safety event.

The IAA has advised me that they are aware of a recent scheduled maintenance activity involving a specific satellite within the Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation. This maintenance resulted in a minor atomic clock timing discrepancy, which temporarily affected aircraft systems on the ground during the alignment of longitude and latitude prior to flight.

It is also important to note that airborne aircraft were not impacted by this GPS update. Furthermore, all commercial air transport aircraft are equipped with redundant onboard navigation systems, ensuring continued navigational accuracy in the event of any system failure or disruption during flight.

Interference with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) has increased in recent years and as a result, aviation stakeholders are maintaining a heightened level of awareness regarding potential GNSS/GPS disruptions. Contingency procedures are in place to ensure the continuity of safe operations, including the use of ground-based navigation aids and/or radar vectoring by Air Traffic Control when necessary. Guidance has also been produced by European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on the issue.