Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2013
57. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions he has taken in relation to the allegations aired on Channel 4's "Dispatches" programme entitled "Ryanair: Secrets from the Cockpit". [41061/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question refers to allegations made in a Channel 4 programme on aviation safety. Aviation safety is overseen by the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, a statutory body under the remit of my Department. The IAA operates on the basis of EU regulations and is audited by both the European Aviation Safety Agency and the International Civil Aviation Organisation. These audits ensure the IAA operates to the highest standards.
The IAA has confirmed that Ryanair, which is the airline against which the allegations were made, fully complies with all European and international regulations in all its areas of operations. The authority has also stated that the safety record of the airline is on a par with the best in Europe and has issued a detailed rebuttal of the allegations made in the programme. Given the statutory responsibility of the IAA, it would not be appropriate for me to comment in detail on these allegations, except to say that I am satisfied they have been comprehensively addressed by the authority. I will refer the Deputy's question to the IAA so that it can respond in more detail.
The Minister's reply does not adequately address the concerns arising from the allegations set out in this programme. Where any question is raised in regard to passenger safety there will inevitably be concern. Another cause for concern is the potential reputational damage to the airline in question as a result of the charges made against it.
I assumed the Minister would have initiated some type of action, as deemed appropriate by him, in order to ascertain whether there is, in fact, an issue in regard to passenger safety. The Minister, however, has indicated that he is taking the word of the Irish Aviation Authority on this point, which I accept.
Notwithstanding that, there is a role for the Minister in ensuring the publicity generated as a result of the allegations is not allowed to damage the reputation of the airline. This relates not only to the economic impact on the airline and the benefits that accrue to the State but the potential impact on tourism. I thought the Minister would take a more aggressive approach to dealing with the allegations in the programme.
I saw the programme and I understand the point the Deputy is making and his concerns. The Oireachtas has conferred on the IAA the job of being the safety regulator and it does the job very well. I am fully satisfied with the job the IAA is doing. It is audited by International Air Transport Association, IATA, and the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, so we know that the European and international safety bodies have audited the IAA and are happy with the job it is doing.
The specific allegations were that the Ryanair planes had inadequate fuel to complete flights safely. These instances were investigated by the IAA with the co-operation of the Spanish authorities. The investigations concluded the Ryanair planes had complied with the strict IATA fuel regulations and that the allegations were baseless. After the television programme aired, the IAA issued a press release on 15 August stating that Ryanair's fuel policy complied with European regulations. Ryanair has also issued court proceedings against the makers of the programme and against other media outlets and has secured the withdrawal of claims made by one of the outlets in the High Court in Belfast.
The Minister is not putting anything new into the public domain. The question I asked was what actions the Minister had taken, not what the IAA had done. I am satisfied with the actions and the approach of the IAA. Has the Minister met or sought to meet the IAA as a result of the allegations made? They are extremely serious allegations. If they are proven untrue, there is potential reputational damage to one of the most important companies in the State. This is not just because of the economic activity it generates within the State but the important role it plays as a connectivity provider and as a driver of tourism in the State. I thought it would be within the grasp of the Minister to recognise that and take appropriate action to protect the interests of the State in that regard.
I meet regularly with the CEO and the chairman of the IAA. I have done so on three occasions in the past three months. Aviation safety is always on the agenda, not only in respect of Ryanair but also other airlines. We certainly discussed this matter and I am satisfied that the IAA has carried out investigations and that the allegations are without foundation. I am also satisfied that the IAA does its job very well, as confirmed by IATA and ICAO. I see no reason to protest too much. We have nothing to hide and the allegations have been investigated and are without foundation. International bodies that audit the IAA are satisfied it does its job well enough for me to be confident that what it says to me is correct.
