Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 September 2021
87. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the measures he and his Department intend to undertake to address the workplace relations concerns between the Irish Aviation Authority and air traffic control workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44103/21]
View answer120. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport the reason there were no air traffic controllers available at State airports, namely Cork and Shannon airports, during dates in July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44128/21]
View answer137. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he has received representations from air traffic controllers requesting his immediate intervention and investigation into the activities and conduct of members of the executive team of the Irish Aviation Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44097/21]
View answer175. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he will investigate the activities and conduct of the executive management team of the Irish Aviation Authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44241/21]
View answer183. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport his views on correspondence in relation to the Irish Aviation Authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44324/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 120, 137, 175 and 183 together.
In recent days I have received email correspondence from many individual air traffic controllers outlining their concerns regarding workplace issues within the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). This correspondence was also copied to members of the Oireachtas, the IAA, and my Department. The issues raised in this correspondence are matters which fall to be addressed by the Board and Executive of the IAA. I have sought and received a briefing from the IAA, on the concerns raised in the correspondence, and on the unofficial industrial action which in recent months has resulted in temporary staff shortages at State airports.
As with any industrial relations matter, it is in the best interests of all parties to utilise established dispute resolution processes, which I understand in the IAA's case includes the Internal Dispute Resolution Charter and processes, the adoption and operation of which have been jointly utilised by the IAA and its staff representative bodies for some time now.
With this in mind, and in the wider context of an aviation sector that, like so many others in society, has been severely impacted by Covid-19 and is now trying to get back on its feet as we see the first tentative signs of economic recovery, perhaps now is an opportunity for reflection and re-engagement by the parties involved.
