Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 October 2017
58. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had discussions with the Commission on Aviation Regulation and the IAA in regard to the potential safety implications of atypical working conditions for pilots at some Irish airlines. [42140/17]
View answerCivil aviation safety regulations are set at European level by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the same rules apply across the board to all registered European airlines. There are also extensive international safety standards set by the United Nations agency ICAO. In Ireland, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is the designated independent regulator of civil aviation safety regulation in accordance with ICAO and EASA rules and regulations. In this role, the IAA is responsible for ensuring that all Irish registered airlines are in compliance, including with rules governing flight time limitations.
European flight time limitations are a key safety provision because they serve to restrict the number of hours that pilot and cabin crew can fly during a 12 month period to no more than 900 hours. This is regardless of their contractual arrangement. The Deputy should note that in addition to an annual upper limit on flight hours, the rules also cap daily, weekly and monthly flight hours. I am advised by the IAA that all Irish airlines have always and continue to be fully compliant with the regulations governing flight time limitations.
The issue of atypical working conditions has been raised with me by the pilots’ trade union, the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association. Terms and conditions of employment within a private company is a matter in the first instance between the company and its employees, governed by employment laws which apply the same in all industries. It is not a factor under the European civil aviation safety framework.
More generally, it is also important to acknowledge that the IAA is a high performing regulator, whose safety oversight and inspection regime is subject to rigorous international, independent audit, which consistently confirms it amongst the very best aviation regulatory bodies.
For clarity, the Commission for Aviation Regulation is responsible for regulating certain aspects of the aviation and travel trade sectors in Ireland - it has no role in safety regulation.
