24 DFómh 2012, 17:25
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications today agreed to consider how it might pursue further the issues that led to the suspension of Pilot Training Centre of Ireland earlier in the year.
24 October 2012
It seems clear that the Pilot Training Centre will not 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.
Vice-Chairman of the Committee John O’Mahony TD says: “The Members of our Committee were very sympathetic to the plight of the students of the Pilot Training Centre of Ireland, who were left stranded in Florida earlier this year following a financial dispute between the Pilot Training Centre in Waterford and the US based aviation school. Members at the meeting made the point that this was a particularly unique situation that warrants further scrutiny so that the lessons from this unacceptable turn of events can be learned.
“We acknowledge the Irish Aviation Authority’s efforts in seizing the training records of students, in repatriating the students from Florida and in putting together packages with other pilot training operators. However, we heard that the IAA, as a safety authority, are not willing to countenance any offer of compensation for the students involved. All Members agree that the students and families involved are in a dreadful situation, many of whom now owe significant sums, and the Committee proposes to establish how the situation has arisen and what steps can be taken to assist the affected students.”
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
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