Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 29 Oct 1992

Vol. 424 No. 6

Written Answers. - International Federation of Airline Pilots' Association Report.

Peter Barry

Ceist:

74 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if she will make a statement on the report from the International Federation of Airline Pilots Association concerning Cork Airport; whether it could reasonably be alleged that the airport is potentially dangerous in view of the huge capital expenditure on extending the runway and installing modern radar and other navigational equipment in recent years; if this view is shared by the Irish Pilots Association; if she has had the matter investigated; if any conclusion was reached concerning the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

I am grateful for the opportunity offered by this question to place on the record an emphatic rejection of completely groundless allegations made about Irish airports by the International Federation of Airline Pilots' Association, IFALPA, of which the Irish Airline Pilots' Association is a member.

Since 1988 more than £30 million has been invested by Government in high technology radar and communications equipment which have revolutionised Irish Air Traffic Control systems. As part of that investment programme, communication systems, navigation and landing aids have been brought up to date. It is disturbing that an international body such as IFALPA should be so seriously misinformed and publish such misleading information.

I have noted that the Irish Airline Pilots' Association subsequently issued a statement regretting that the case of Irish airports had been so seriously misrepresented in media reports.