I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 20 and 35 together.
Public confidence in the safety of air travel underpins all other Government objectives in the aviation sector. Maintaining the highest standards of safety in Irish aviation is a priority for the Government.
As the Deputy is aware, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has statutory responsibility for regulating and enforcing safety standards in civil aviation in Ireland, with a remit to ensure that Irish industry complies with the highest European standards. These standards are prescribed in EU Regulation 2018/1139, which was updated and endorsed by the European Parliament and the European Council in July of last year. Overseen by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Regulation represents a comprehensive set of aircraft and flight safety rules that applies across all Member States, to all aircraft registered and operating within the European Union. All matters of aviation safety are coordinated and addressed at a pan-European level under the auspices of EASA, and that wil continue to be the case.
With regard to the specific matter of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, the Deputy will note that on March 12, the IAA suspended the operation of all variants of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into and out of Irish airspace. This suspension, which was reinforced across the EU by EASA later the same day, will remain in place as a precautionary measure to ensure the continued safety of passengers and flight crew. It will not be removed until such times as there are acceptable grounds to have confidence in the safety of the aircraft model. All further action in relation to the treatment of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will be done in close coordination with EASA.
I am not willing to comment on what may or may not arise from the ongoing investigations into the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, however, I can assure this House that only aircraft which are safety assured – to European standards - will be allowed to operate in Irish airspace.
The IAA remains in close contact with EASA and other national aviation safety authorities on this matter.