Vol. 379 No. 7
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if his Department have received a report of the near miss involving an Aer Lingus plane and an American D.C. 10 over Wales on 11 April 1988; the information available to his Department on the near miss; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
10.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he has sought a report from the aviation authorities regarding the circumstances of a reported near miss involving an Aer Lingus plane on the Dublin-Heathrow air corridor.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 10 together.
The reported air miss incident is being investigated by the UK authorities in whose jurisdiction the aircraft were at the time. My Department will receive a report in the matter in due course when inquiries by the UK authorities are complete. In the meantime, any comment by me in the matter would be inappropriate.
While it is appreciated that the UK authorities are involved in a full-scale investigation, nevertheless they have issued an interim report bearing on matters such as the reinstatement of the traffic controller who was temporarily suspended. Has the Minister received any indication of the findings or conclusions of that interim report? Does he know, for example, if the air traffic controller has been reinstated?
The Deputy should not refer to persons outside the House.
It is a matter of public note.
That may be so, but this is a privileged assembly and it is a tradition that we do not refer to persons outside the House.
I am subject to the rulings of the Chair. I would ask the Minister to answer to whatever extent he can the questions I have asked in relation to the interim report.
I could not comment on the individual employee whom the Deputy has mentioned. The Aer Lingus pilot's report was forwarded to the Civil Aviation Authority and the joint air miss working group are considering reports from the two pilots. They will be at liberty to comment, to suggest changes if necessary, to apportion blame. I will be getting that report when it is ready.
Perhaps I could put the matter in a more relevant way. I understand that the height of 31,000 feet is reserved exclusively for Dublin-London routes. Has the Minister requested any interim information to ensure that there would be no invasion, intentional or otherwise, of that air space in view of its importance to Aer Lingus pilots and passengers? Has the Minister taken any steps to assure himself that there will not be a recurrence?
There is no need to elaborate.
The Deputy is not correct in saying that 31,000 feet is reserved for Irish planes. It could legitimately be in use by other planes as well.
This amounts to a little bit more than correctly crossing my t's. It is the level for Dublin-London traffic. Has the Minister taken any action in view of the report of an Irish pilot on an Irish plane——
The Deputy has already asked these questions.
The Deputy is also incorrect with regard to his claim about the height of 31,000 feet. Instructions are issued en route for Irish planes to descend from 31,000 feet.
I am calling Deputy Martin Cullen.
Do I take it from the Minister's refusal to answer the question that he has done nothing at all?
I resent that interruption by Deputy McCartan. He has been caught out not knowing his facts and now he is losing his rag.
I am not losing my rag. I am objecting to the Minister's refusal to answer questions.
The Deputy should do his homework properly.
Deputy McCartan, if you persist in interruptions of this kind I will have to ask you to leave the House.
I am here to ask questions.
Deputy McCartan is now baiting the Chair.
I am not seeking to do that.
It is evident that you are. I call Deputy Martin Cullen.
Would the Minister agree that what we are witnessing is a problem that could possibly get worse because of increased air traffic on a bilateral basis between the UK and Ireland and in the EC generally? Airport authorities get a direct contribution per passenger increase so their funds have gone up, but there is not agreement within the EC or between the UK and Ireland to start increasing the levels of service which air traffic controllers need in resources and staff. That problem is becoming more obvious with these types of incident occurring more regularly. Is any progress being made in this area and does the Minister accept that this is part of the problem?
I accept the first part of the Deputy's statement to the effect that the increase in traffic has caused problems, particularly at the London airports. I can answer for this Government and my own Department in that we have scheduled £30 million expenditure for increasing the facilities available for air traffic control. I know that about £300 million has been allocated for similar investment in the London area. The EC are fully conscious of what is happening. Various airports have flow control regulations in operation because of the huge increase in the number of aircraft using the airports.
Will the Minister accept that in the EC context the problem I have highlighted will directly affect Irish passengers travelling to European resorts this summer and that there is an undercapacity in manpower and resources affecting the ability of air traffic controllers to handle the number of aircraft flying through the various corridors? What proposals is the Minister putting forward at EC ministerial level to deal with this problem?
The whole problem of proper equipment at airports is dealt with by individual Governments but it is a matter of concern for the Council of Ministers. They are aware of the developing problem. We make our contributions based on what we are doing here.
Given the serious reports on recent near misses, is it planned to discuss this matter at the meeting of European Ministers of Transport? Are there any plans to change air transport policy within Europe?
An individual instance like this would not come up for discussion at the Council of Ministers but the overall problem of air traffic control and safety in the air is dealt with at European level. The European Council are fully conscious of how important and serious these matters are.
