Vol. 510 No. 1
17 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the recent incident at Shannon Airport involving a aircraft which was in full Aer Lingus livery and leased by Aer Lingus from the owners; if she has satisfied herself with the method of certification of air worthiness of this and similar craft; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21785/99]
Matters relating to the certification of air worthiness of aircraft are the responsibility of the relevant air safety regulatory authority, which in the case of the aircraft referred to is the Federal Aviation Authority of the United States. The FAA requirements for certification of public transport aircraft are similar to those required by the equivalent European body, the Joint Airworthiness Authorities and they are applied to aircraft registered in Ireland by the Irish Aviation Authority. I have no statutory or other functions in relation to such matters. I should add that when Irish licensed airlines lease in aircraft, the Irish Aviation Authority satisfies itself about the certification requirements of the countries of origin of these aircraft.
My Department's air accident investigation unit's investigations into this incident are ongoing and its report will be published in due course.
