Michael Lowry
Question:32 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if she will ensure that all reports and investigations into the matter of air crashes in the State will be published in the future.
Written Answers. - Air Navigation Safety Standards.
Brendan McGahon
Question:38 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications the steps, if any, she proposes to take to review safety standards applicable to light air craft and helicopters in view of an increase in the number of accidents in recent times.
Godfrey Timmins
Question:46 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if she intends to review the safety standards applicable from the Air Navigational Services Office having regard to the marked increase in the number of fatal accidents among light aircraft and helicopters in 1992; if she has satisfied herself that there is adequate transparency from this Office in relation to the cause of individual accidents and the publication of reports into investigations relating to accidents; and if the entire system is in need of review.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 38, and 46 together.
In common with the practice in other European States it is not customary to publish reports of investigations into aviation accidents in the private/general aviation sector. Each such accident is carefully investigated by technical staff from my Department and any safety action necessary is taken with the minimum of delay. The number of accidents to light aircraft and helicopters in 1992 has been higher than normal but the causal factors have been typically diverse and not repetitious.
My Department sets rigorous and searching standards in respect of aircraft maintenance and flight crew functions. Untimately, it is the responsibility of the operators to exercise care and professionalism in the conduct of aircraft operations. In consultation with my Department, the various Irish aviation representative bodies have taken action in this area.
On the question of transparency I would like to point out that the standards and recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) require that:
— the sole objective of the investigation of an accident or incident shall be the prevention of accidents and incidents. It is not the purpose of this activity to apportion blame or liability,
— any judicial or administrative proceedings to apportion blame or liability should be separate from any investigation conducted in accordance with the ICAO procedures.
I am satisfied that there is adequate transparency at the technical level. However, I should, perhaps, advise the House that in a Bill that I will shortly be introducing to establish the Air Navigation Services Office as the Irish Aviation Authority I will be making specific provision to ensure that accident investigation remains my responsibility as Minister and not that of the Authority.