Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 5

Written Answers. - EU Directives.

Ivan Yates

Question:

74 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will invoke powers under section 15 of the Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993, to ensure there is adequate supervision of all aspects of the EU Groundhandling Directive. [10264/00]

Ivan Yates

Question:

75 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the progress, if any, made in relation to discussions between the Irish Aviation Authority, Aer Rianta and ICTU representatives further to Parliamentary Question No. 53 of 15 February 2000 in relation to the implementation of certain aspects of the EU Groundhandling Directive at airports; and if there will be full group discussions to resolve the problems involved. [10265/00]

Ivan Yates

Question:

76 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the number of applications received and approved for supply of services under the EU Groundhandling Directive at airports; and if this includes a company (details supplied). [10266/00]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 75 and 76 together.

My Department has been in communication with the Irish Aviation Authority and the Health and Safety Authority in regard to safety in groundhandling activities and a meeting between these two bodies and officials of my Department will take place in the near future.

The Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, is the regulatory body responsible for the safety and technical aspects of civil aviation. Aircraft operators are responsible to the IAA for ensuring that the groundhandling services they have contracted for are properly and safely rendered and the IAA monitors the activities of the airlines in this regard. The IAA has not expressed any concerns to me regarding the adequacy of current regulation from a safety point of view and, accordingly, it is not my intention to extend their remit at this time. A decision in this regard would in any case be premature in the light of the forthcoming discussions in the matter.

Five applications for approval to supply groundhandling services at Irish airports have been received in my Department. Three approvals have been issued. No such application has been received from the company referred to by the Deputy.