Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 October 2017
200. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to a letter sent by the UK Civil Aviation Authority to a company (details supplied) and the enforcement action launched against the same company by the UK CAA; and if he has queried with the IAA whether it has done or plans to do the same. [42119/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra205. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has issued an instruction to the Commission for Aviation Regulation to liaise with the civil aviation authority in the UK in respect of a Europe wide issue with a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42176/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 205 together.
The Commission for Aviation Regulation, CAR, is the independent regulator for the enforcement of air passenger rights in Ireland, functioning as the national enforcement body for such matters.
I am aware that CAR has been working directly with Ryanair since the announcements of flight cancellations were made to ensure that the provisions of EU Regulation 261 of 2004 were correctly applied in respect of the passengers affected.
On Friday, 29 September, CAR announced that it has secured agreement from Ryanair that it will comply with the regulations and directly provide affected customers with the necessary information on refunds, rerouting, care and assistance and compensation. Ryanair has also issued a public statement explaining to customers how and when they will be re-accommodated on other Ryanair flights or other airline flights. It is understood that Ryanair has also committed to provide weekly updates to CAR on the number of passengers entitled to compensation and expenses, the number of claims submitted and the number of claims closed-out.
The Commission for Aviation Regulation is part of a close network of national enforcement bodies across the EU, including the Civil Aviation Authority, CAA, in UK. It is noted that Ryanair has recently replied to correspondence received from the UK CAA and has agreed to meet its requirement for customer clarification on Ryanair’s obligations under regulation 261, which are in line with those requested by the CAR.
