Vol. 418 No. 2
7 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications when the air traffic control system will be established as a semi-State company; and when the legislation in this regard will be published; and her views on whether this organisation should amalgamate with the single European air traffic control system.
11 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if she has any proposals to establish a Civil Aviation Authority in Ireland along the lines of a similar authority which exists in the United Kingdom.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 11 together.
As the House will be aware, the Government have decided that the Air Navigation Services Office (ANSO) of my Department will be established as a commercial semi-State body. The intention is that the new body will, with certain ecceptions, operate along similar lines to the Civil Aviation Authority in the United Kingdom. Legislation will be necessary to establish the new body and I hope to be in a position to introduce a Bill to deal with the matter in the forthcoming session.
At European level the current strategy is aimed at harmonising the work of the various national air traffic services in a way that will facilitate traffic and appear to the users as a single system. I am pleased to say that we in Ireland have the equipment and systems to participate fully in the European harmonized air traffic system.
I might point out that Questions Nos. 7 and 11 deal with separate matters.
In relation to a European single air traffic control system, is the Minister, or Minister of State aware that it has been calculated at European level that to have a single system right across the Community would reduce air fares by some 8 per cent? Will the Minister therefore give a commitment on behalf of the Irish Government that when such a proposal comes before the Council of Transport Ministers the Government will support such a proposal?
When that arises we will certainly look at it.
I have no doubt that the Minister of State will look at it, but that was not my question. My question was whether our Government had given this any thought and whether they were aware of how much the multiplicity of different regimes costs the Community both in term of air traffic control and air space? In this context is the Minister aware that Irish air traffic control system is one of the most expensive in Europe and that to overfly British air space is also one of the most costly exercises in Europe? For those reasons would he agree that Ireland has a vested interest, more than anyone else, in ensuring that a single air traffic control system obtains?
At present Ireland is a member of EURO control, the European body for the co-ordination of air traffic control measures. We are working toward harmonisation in that regard. It is difficult to comment further before firm proposals are placed before us.
On Question No. 11, a separate one, what I sought from the Minister was a similar authority here as that in Britain, where their Civil Aviation Authority can independentaly evaluate and investigate all matters in relation to aviation. At present these matters are investigated by the Department only. I realise a semi-State body have been set up to examine the hardware aspects of flying planes in and out of airports and control procedures. I am talking about an independent civil aviation authority who would investigate and analyse aviation issues, competition between airlines, cartels and transatlantic flights. This independent authority could also comment on issues such as airport charges. Such a system has worked very well in Britain. It is separate to the ATC issue. Will the Minister give a commitment to set up a civil aviation authority in Ireland?
There will be ample opportunity to discuss the points raised by the Deputy during the debate on the Bill. The Bill has to go to Government before it is brought before the House. As I said, the points raised by the Deputy can be discussed more fully at that time.
When does the Minister expect the Bill to be published and brought before the House?
As I already indicated, the Bill will be brought before the House during the next session.
