23 DFómh 2012, 13:24
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications will tomorrow meet with the Irish Aviation Authority Chief Executive Eamonn Brennan will discuss the European Aviation Safety Agency’s proposed new rules on Flight and Duty Time Limitations. Note that the Committee meeting will take place at the revised time of 11 a.m.
23 October 2012
Chairman of the Committee Tom Hayes TD says: “Our Committee looks forward to meeting Eamonn Brennan on the implications of the Irish Aviation Authority’s perspective on the proposed new rules by the European Aviation Safety Agency to harmonise flying times across Europe, which will impact on flight time limitations of European pilots and crew. The measures have been criticised by pilots’ representatives, including the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association, who are concerned about pilot fatigue and its impact on passenger safety.”
Mr Brennan will also discuss the suspension of the training licence of the Pilot Training Centre of Ireland. As the company went into examinership in July, it is understood that the Pilot Training Centre doesn’t have the funds to reimburse up to 350 students, many of whom were undergoing training in Florida at the time and are understood to be owed up to €80,000 each.
Deputy Hayes continues: “Our Committee sympathises with the plight of the students of the Pilot Training Centre of Ireland, who were left stranded in Florida earlier in the year following a financial dispute between the Pilot Training Centre in Waterford and the US based aviation school. Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar TD ruled out compensation for trainees but specifically asked the Irish Aviation Authority to look at options for students. Tomorrow’s meeting provides Mr Brennan with an opportunity to update the Committee on progress.”
Separately, the Committee will consider the implications for the Irish Coast Guard service arising out of the recent Fisher Associates Value for Money Review. Ireland is currently served by three national Maritime Operation Centres, in Dublin, Valentia and Malin and the Review recommends a move to a two centre model.
Officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Chris Reynolds, Director of the Irish Coast Guard will discuss the Review’s findings. John Dallat MLA will also address the Committee on the SDLP position on the future of the Malin station.
Deputy Hayes says: “The Fisher Review, which recommends the closure of one centre, is of considerable concern to the Committee. We will meet with Officials from the Department which commissioned the Review and the Director of the Irish Coast Guard. In a reminder of the cross border implications of the potential closure, John Dallat MLA will advocate the retention of the Malin station from his party’s perspective.”
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 24th of October, at 11 a.m. in Committee Room 4, Leinster House 2000. The meeting will commence with engagement with the IAA CEO, to be followed by discussion on the Irish Coast Guard service at approximately 12 noon. The Committee proceedings can be viewed online via this link.
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee Membership
Deputies
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Féin
Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil
Dessie Ellis, Sinn Féin
Terence Flanagan, Fine Gael
Tom Fleming, Independent
Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
Tom Hayes, Fine Gael (Chairman)
Colm Keaveney, Labour
Seán Kenny, Labour
Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fáil
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael
John O’Mahony, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
Ann Phelan, Labour
Brian Walsh, Fine Gael
Senators
Terry Brennan
Sean D. Barrett
Eamonn Coghlan
Paschal Mooney
Ned O’Sullivan
John Whelan