Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 2

Written Answers. - Air Accident Investigations.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

135 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if the investigations have been completed by the Irish Aviation Authority into a spate of serious lapses in safety standards at Ryanair which resulted in at least one serious accident; if the results of the investigations will be made public; if she will use the powers available to her to initiate an investigation by her Department into this serious and life threatening series of accidents [14844/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise (Mr. Jacob)

The air accident investigation unit of my Department is currently investigating two incidents involving Ryanair operatives or aircraft at Dublin Airport in recent months. These were as follows. On 22 January 1999 a tow tractor belonging to Ryanair ran over the foot of an operative on contract to Ryanair, while the aircraft was being pushed back before departure. On 2 April 1999 a Ryanair aircraft taxiing into a parking bay touched a refuelling vehicle.

Pending completion of these investigations, it would be premature to make any statement about the outcome. The air accident investigation unit's reports on these two incidents will be published in due course.