asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether or not there is a reciprocal agreement between Great Britain and this country with regard to the recognition of commercial aircraft pilots' licences.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Commercial Aircraft Pilots' Licences.
7.
Ireland and Great Britain as members of the International Civil Aviation Organisation recognise each other's professional pilots' licences for the purpose of flight of each country's aircraft across the territory of the other. There is no reciprocal agreement for the grant to the holder of a professional pilot's licence of a corresponding licence of the other country, and each case arising is considered on the merits. In practice, there is little difficulty in obtaining corresponding licences between Great Britain and Ireland as a suitable period is allowed an applicant to comply with any special requirements of either country.
Is the Minister aware that while the British pilot's licence is recognised in this country, the Irish pilot's licence is not recognised in Britain until a very stiff test has been passed?
British pilots coming here generally have to acquire information on Irish air regulations which they have not got. Generally speaking, this is a reciprocal arrangement which, I am informed, works very satisfactorily.
The Minister does not seem to be aware that there is a big difference in the way in which pilots from Britain are treated here and the way in which Irish pilots are treated in Britain.
That would depend on the conditions obtaining in Britain. British flying conditions are somewhat different from ours but I understand that the arrangement is that pilots from this country are given an opportunity of acquiring the extra knowledge they need in Britain. There are some conditions in this country different from those in Britain. I have no evidence that this matter does not work out satisfactorily and I have no complaints.
If the matter is brought to the Minister's notice, will he ensure that discrimination against Irish pilots, because that is what it amounts to, will not be continued any longer?
If I had complaints that pilots were discriminated against in Britain and not given the opportunity to acquire the necessary knowledge of flying conditions in that country, I would be glad to take the matter up with the British civil aviation authorities.
It is obvious that the Minister is not aware of the facts. They must have a completely different set of arrangements in Britain.
As I have said, there is no absolute reciprocity in this matter as the conditions may be different from one country to another, but, in practice, the arrangement works out very well.
8.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that in a recent advertisement for pilots for Irish International Airlines it was specified that a Performance A certificate was necessary; and that this qualification is a British one, and is not available in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I understand that last February Aer Lingus, having earlier intensively searched the market for suitably qualified Irish pilots and having failed to find sufficient candidates, issued an advertisement in the English Press, seeking pilots with qualifications including Performance A, which is a British qualification provided for in a different manner in Irish pilots' licences. Although aiming this advertisement mainly at the English market, it was decided also to insert it in the Irish papers lest there should by any chance have been an Irish candidate about whom the company was unaware. I think it extremely unlikely that any Irish candidate was deterred from applying because of the wording of the advertisement but the company have assured me that they will avoid any possible misunderstanding for the future.
Would the Minister say if an advertisement was inserted in the Irish papers before an advertisement in the British papers? Is it not a fact that there was no advertisement except this one and that it specified a qualification required only by British pilots?
I could not say when the advertisement was issued but I am aware that the company did not miss the opportunity of appointing an Irish pilot.
Was the advertisement inserted in the Irish papers before the British one?
I could not say.
The Minister can take it it was not.
I am satisfied that the company did not miss the opportunity of appointing an Irish pilot.
The Minister knows nothing about it. He is trying to bluff.
The Deputy will not speak in that way. I am fully aware of all the circumstances and know all about the matter. No opportunity of appointing an Irish pilot was missed.