Vol. 411 No. 7
243 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the advantages of a single air traffic control system within the European Community; and if he will outline his views in relation to this concept.
Ireland, through membership of Euro-control, the European Organisation for Air Navigation Safety; the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) and the EC has been actively supporting the adoption of a harmonised and integrated air traffic control system for Europe.
On 24 April 1990 the ECAC Transport Ministers adopted a strategy and action programme the purpose of which is to harmonise and integrate the operation of European air traffic control systems. This programme, which is currently being developed under the management of Eurocontrol and in partnership with the ECAC and the EC, does not at this stage envisage the unification into a single system of the various national air traffic control services.
I have wholeheartedly supported the ECAC strategy which will result in an enhanced European air traffic control system capable of handling the growth in air traffic demand both safely and expeditiously.
