Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Mar 1996

Vol. 462 No. 5

Written Answers. - Commercial Air Transport.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

58 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the conditions which must be fulfilled in order to obtain a licence to operate helicopter and other services in Irish airspace; the plans, if any, he has to review those conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4956/96]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

I assume the Deputy is referring to the conditions which an undertaking must fulfil in order to establish itself in Ireland as a commercial air transport operator.

The granting of air transport operating licences within the European Community is governed by Council Regulation, EEC No. 2407/92 on licensing of air carriers. This regulation includes,inter alia, provisions in relation to financial fitness, principal place of business, ownership and control and insurance. It is also a requirement that the undertaking obtain an air operator's certificate from the Irish Aviation Authority which affirms that the undertaking has the professional ability and organisational resources to ensure the safe operation of aircraft for the aviation activities proposed.

I have asked my Department to give the Deputy full details of the requirements for new operators. As I stated, the conditions under which operating licences are granted are determined by EU legislation and I am not aware of any plans to review those conditions.