Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 April 2019
16. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request European wide enforcement for all safety features on offer from manufacturers as mandatory on aircraft entering European airspace in view of recent tragic disasters involving an aircraft (details supplied) which did not have optional safety features fitted. [15031/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra20. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the attention of the Irish Aviation Authority has been drawn to fact whether a company (details supplied) paid for two safety features missing from an aircraft that crashed in Ethiopia and Indonesia, were included in the aircraft on order by the company; and if not, if the IAA will seek assurances from the company that it has. [15030/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra35. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Irish Aviation Authority will insist that all aircraft flying in Irish airspace are fitted with all optional safety extras on offer from aircraft manufacturers in view of recent tragic disasters involving an aircraft (details supplied) likely caused by the failure to have optional safety features fitted. [15029/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 20 and 35 together.
Public confidence in the safety of air travel underpins all other Government objectives in the aviation sector. Maintaining the highest standards of safety in Irish aviation is a priority for the Government.
As the Deputy is aware, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has statutory responsibility for regulating and enforcing safety standards in civil aviation in Ireland, with a remit to ensure that Irish industry complies with the highest European standards. These standards are prescribed in EU Regulation 2018/1139, which was updated and endorsed by the European Parliament and the European Council in July of last year. Overseen by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Regulation represents a comprehensive set of aircraft and flight safety rules that applies across all Member States, to all aircraft registered and operating within the European Union. All matters of aviation safety are coordinated and addressed at a pan-European level under the auspices of EASA, and that wil continue to be the case.
With regard to the specific matter of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, the Deputy will note that on March 12, the IAA suspended the operation of all variants of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into and out of Irish airspace. This suspension, which was reinforced across the EU by EASA later the same day, will remain in place as a precautionary measure to ensure the continued safety of passengers and flight crew. It will not be removed until such times as there are acceptable grounds to have confidence in the safety of the aircraft model. All further action in relation to the treatment of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will be done in close coordination with EASA.
I am not willing to comment on what may or may not arise from the ongoing investigations into the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, however, I can assure this House that only aircraft which are safety assured – to European standards - will be allowed to operate in Irish airspace.
The IAA remains in close contact with EASA and other national aviation safety authorities on this matter.
