I raised this issue regarding the timeline with the Minister to try to get clarity for the Deputy. Licensed bus and coach operators are an integral part of the overall public transport system, especially in areas not covered by existing public service bus and rail services. While it is regrettable that a family-owned bus operator like Suirway, which has been providing services in the east Waterford area for more than 100 years, is ceasing its operations, I reiterate that any decision concerning the continuation or …

I have consulted the Attorney General on the issues raised by Senators. He is satisfied that no conflict of interest or breach of trust arises.

I reiterate the advice from the Attorney General in that he is satisfied there is no conflict of interest or a breach of trust in the engagement on this. I will further clarify the consultation process of the Bill if it would help Senators. I am conscious of time and that we will not get through discussing the issues or the amendments. Senators know that I have moved significantly on putting forward Government amendments. I am eager to discuss them here because it will make for a better Bill and I would like the op…

I will speak to the amendments, which I have not done yet. That will clarify matters. The requirement in Irish law for peer crew support derives from EU regulation 2018/1042. The regulation was developed in consultation with all stakeholders, including pilot representative bodies across Europe. The final regulation represents a consensual balance of the views of all stakeholders. The regulation came into effect in February last year and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency is required to review its effectivene…

What was the specific question?

On the specific crew peer support amendment before us today, there is no conflict within my Department on seeking the input of the IAA. Given the undoubted and extensive aviation safety expertise of the IAA and its remit to promote aviation safety, it would have been remiss of my Department not to have sought the IAA's input. On search and rescue, as I have stated the Department engaged with Aerossurance on that.

We all have the same aim; to have the best peer support programme. The issue is around a national peer support programme and I am saying clearly that I am open to that. However, we need to think through how it will operate, how it will be structured and how it will be funded. I cannot put something into primary legislation without that being defined. It needs to be defined through the key stakeholders. I am opening the facility for that to be done through the stakeholders' forum, where the airlines, in consultation…

With regard to existing peer support, we have the same law as the rest of Europe and that is enforced by the IAA. Senator Doherty's initial question was around the engagement of the IAA. The crew peer support programme is already covered by the European Aviation Safety Agency, EASA, regulations. As I stated earlier, there is no conflict in engaging with the IAA on this. With regard to Senator Sherlock's call for the national peer support programme to be put into legislation-----

That is precisely the issue when I engage with the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association, IALPA, and ask how it will be funded, how it will work and how it will be structured. Those answers are not there, which is fine, but this must be done through the aviation stakeholders' forum. We are talking about trust and confidence in what is potentially a really important national peer support programme. That is where we need that collaboration to be able to put forward a proposal for which I said I am willing to legislate. …

The Department consulted the IAA and I listed out its huge expertise with regard to this area. The Department also consulted IALPA and the list of other stakeholders I listed out previously. In fact, I listened to IALPA's views and those of Senators in that regard, so much so that there is huge movement in respect of the amendments I am trying to progress today.

Amendments Nos. 3 a , 3 d and 5 a have been developed following consultation with the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and my officials. The general policy intent is that, post vesting, the IAA will be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and AirNav Ireland will be audited by a commercial statutory auditor. Amendment No. 3 a to section 60 amends section 17 of the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 by deleting subsection (2)( f ), which provides for the appointment of a commercial statutory aud…

The Bill protects the workers' rights and there will be no changes to those rights. Management and unions are working through the issues currently. There will be no change to the workers' status.

I agree with the point raised by the Senators about the importance of stakeholder consultations and have proposed an identical Government amendment, which replaces "may consult with any persons" on the preparation of the statement of strategy with "shall consult with any persons". It is important to acknowledge that the IAA already recognises the importance and value of stakeholder engagement. The aviation regulator chief executive designate invited observations on the preparation of a draft statement of strategy f…

The business plan of any organisation is an internally focused executive document. In effect, it is an operational plan for a given period. It may contain commercially and operationally sensitive information. As such, it would not be appropriate to place it in the public domain. The IAA will be subject to a range of accountability mechanisms provided for in the Bill and existing legislation. Such mechanisms include the laying of the statement of strategy and the annual report and financial statements before the Hou…

It is hardwired into this legislation that the Minister must lay the section 67 report before the Houses of the Oireachtas within one month. On what could be in the business plan, the IAA will be subject to a range of accountability mechanisms provided for in the Bill. A business plan is a document that defines in detail a company's objectives and how it plans to achieve its goals. It lays out a written roadmap for a company from financial and operational standpoints. As such, a business plan can contain informatio…

I will take amendments Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together, as the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach has outlined. It is important to highlight that this Part does seek to authorise the collection or processing of personal data that is not already authorised for collection or processing elsewhere in statute. It will enable a one-stop shop mechanism that allows the relevant immigration officials to collect information on behalf of social protection officials that can be used for social welfare purposes and vice versa . Senators …

Amendment Nos. 5 and 6 both relate to the issue of a review. The Departments of Justice and Social Protection are fully accountable to and subject to oversight and regulation by the DPC for compliance with data protection legislation. The Department of Justice has embedded the principles relating to processing of personal data, as set out in Article 5 of the GDPR, across all its processing activities. In addition, the Department must be able to demonstrate compliance under the principle of accountability. The Depar…

I thank the Senator for her ongoing interest in and advocacy on this matter. I wish to express my personal sympathies to those who have been impacted by the Stardust tragedy – the families, the victims and the wider community. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, is keen for this legislation to be enacted in order for the Stardust inquest to progress. Regarding the amendments, Part 8 of the Bill responds to concerns that the selection of the Stardust inquest jury should be as representative as possible. Thus, the provisio…

This amendment is related to the previous amendments and my comments on those are valid in this instance. Amendment No. 9 seeks to replicate the provisions of section 16 of the 1976 Act regarding the inspection of a panel of jurors. However, it is clear that the purpose of the information concerned under that Act is essentially to enable a challenge to a juror in a criminal trial and civil proceedings at which liability is to be determined between opposing parties. Therefore, the inclusion of such a provision is no…

It will not, but their names will be called out in open court.