Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 6

Written Answers. - EU Directives.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

133 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position regarding implementation of the EU ground handling directive in airports; the minimum standards in this regard for third party ground handling suppliers in order to protect the industry, the consumers and workers in civil aviation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23548/99]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 133 together.

Regulations to implement the ground handling directive were signed by me on 16 December 1998. With regard to third party ground handling the provisions of the directive apply from 1 January 1999 at any airport whose annual traffic is not less than three million passenger movements and, from 1 January, 2001, at any airport whose annual traffic is not less than two million passenger movements. The directive provides for free access for suppliers of ground handling services to these airports. At the moment, therefore, this provision of the directive currently applies only at Dublin Airport.

With effect from 1 January 1998, the directive applies at all airports in respect of certain services for air carriers who wish to provide their own ground handling services. Some aspects of this self-service provision only apply at an airport whose annual traffic is not less than one million passengers. Therefore, the self-service provision of the directive currently applies fully at Cork, Dublin and Shannon Airports and partially in respect of the six regional airports.

The directive does not set out any minimum standards with regard to ground handling services. When airlines use sub-contractors to provide ground handling services, it is the airlines' responsibility in the first instance to satisfy themselves as to the adequacy of the standards, procedures, equipment and training of the service provider. In Ireland, the Irish Aviation Authority – IAA – is the regulatory body responsible for the safety and technical aspects of civil aviation and they monitor the activities of airlines in this regard.

Where the provision of ground handling services does not impinge on aircraft safety, such as catering supplies or aircraft cabin cleaning services, it is the responsibility of the existing agencies such as the Regional Health Board's Environmental Health Service for food safety, the Health and Safety Authority for safe work practices and the Environmental Protection Agency to enforce the legal standards in the same manner as for any other industrial activity or service in Ireland. The general standards which airport authorities require ground handling companies to meet will be in addition to the regulatory requirements set out above.