Vol. 511 No. 6
155 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the serious concerns of ground handlers regarding the failure of her Department to ensure that minimum standards are enforced by all suppliers of these services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24876/99]
I am aware of concerns regarding the need to ensure minimum standards in respect of ground handling services at airports. I have received considerable correspondence on the subject, as have other Ministers and Deputies.
Regulations to implement the ground handling directive were signed by me on 16 December 1998. The directive does not set out any minimum standards with regard to ground handling services. When airlines use subcontractors 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 is the regulatory body responsible for the safety and technical aspects of civil aviation and it monitors the activities of airlines in this regard.
