asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he has instituted an inquiry into the reported near miss involving a plane and helicopter at Dublin Airport on 26 July last; if he has satisfied himself that the number of air traffic controllers is sufficient and their equipment adequate to ensure the highest possible safety standards, especially in view of the much increased air traffic along the east coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Airport Incident.
2.
The incident referred to by the Deputy, which occurred on 27 July 1987 and which involved a jet aircraft and a privately owned helicopter has been investigated by my Department. The investigation revealed that the incident was a minor one; neither aircraft had to take avoiding action. Nevertheless, in the interests of safety and to ensure that such incidents will be avoided in future, procedures for air traffic control of helicopters coming in to land at Dublin Airport have been amended.
The staffing situation in the air traffic services at Dublin Airport is kept under continuous review, particularly in the light of the increased air traffic at the airport, and, despite a reduction in the number of staff at the present time due to the Government embargo on the filling of vacancies, it has been possible, with staff co-operation, to maintain normal services at the airport.
Arrangements have, however, been made to restrict traffic flows at Dublin Airport when the number of air traffic control staff is not sufficient to cater for the level of traffic offering. Such arrangements can be introduced as necessary in the interests of maintaining a safe and orderly flow of traffic.
Equipment and its maintenance at Dublin Airport are in keeping with international standards for the traffic environment and the level of traffic catered for. The updating and re-equipment of facilities at State airports is an ongoing process. At Dublin Airport two new instrument landing systems have been in operation since 1986 and it is proposed to spend about £12 million on new and replacement equipment at the airport over the next five to six years.
Will the Minister explain in a little more detail his remarkable statement that the incident was a minor one? Will the Minister tell us, in the context of that evaluation, if it has been established how close the two aircraft came to each other because there seemed to be a suggestion in one report in the national media that they were within 100 feet? That was the reported view of the airline pilot who angrily reported the incident. In view of the statement on what constitutes a minor incident, will the Minister explain the current definition of a near miss in terms of distance and other regulations?
I am indebted to the technical people who conducted the examination into this incident for the report that it was a minor incident. I know that various distances have been mentioned, 300 yards, 600 yards and so on. The people who are technically qualified have assessed it as a minor incident and I am not going to push my boat into the realm of a closer definition than that.
It would be very dangerous to push your boat into the air space.
Will the Minister say what is the current definition in his regulations of a near miss?
The Deputy has already asked that question and repetition is not in order at Question Time.
If the Minister is not prepared to answer that, can he advise whether any action will be taken for the relocation of the west point helicopter hangar to which this helicopter was travelling, in view of its close proximity to the end of the main take-off runway at Dublin Airport——
That is an extension of the subject matter of the question.
I understand it comes within the terms of the question. This is an important public matter——
There is no need for the Deputy to elaborate. The Minister was about to reply.
As I stated in my reply, the procedures for air traffic control of helicopters coming in to land at Dublin Airport have been amended.
The Minister stated that if sufficient staff were not available, traffic would be restricted. Will the Minister explain what he means by such restriction?
I said that traffic flows would be restricted. This is a daily occurrence at Heathrow, where there is heavy traffic, so that the staff can cope with it.
Where would the excess traffic be diverted?
There is no question of diversion: it is of phasing the traffic in such a way that it can be handled.
Will the Minister confirm that the staffing levels among air traffic controllers have fallen by as much as 10 per cent by reason of the embargo? Is he aware of complaints that because of the low level of staffing many of the staff cannot take their leave? Is he investigating that matter?
I said there had been a reduction in the number of staff due to the embargo but it has been possible, with the co-operation of the staff — which is significant in the light of the supplementary question — to maintain normal services at the airport.