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A US CONGRESSMAN has written to the European Commission to lodge his objections to proposed transatlantic flights from Cork and Shannon Airports to Boston by airline carrier Norwegian Air.
Democratic congressman Peter DeFazio wrote to the EU Commissioner for Transport to express his concerns about Irish-registered Norwegian Air International.
The airline announced in September that it would be launching flights from Cork to Boston. However, since then the US has refused to sign off on the proposed route.
The row has been ongoing, with local Cork politicians, the Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA), and even former Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders all getting involved.
The EU announced last week that it would be moving the issue forward for arbitration – a formal process for resolving trade issues between the EU and the US.
This move prompted Congressman DeFazio to write to the EU Commissioner to outline his concerns.
DeFazio said that Norwegian Air plans to use Ireland as a “flag of convenience” to circumvent US aviation laws and “firmly plant the weed of this unsustainable business model in the fertile soil of our international aviation system”.
DeFazio said that the airline bases many crewmembers in Bangkok, who are hired on contracts governed by Singapore law.
Norwegian Air disputes these claims. In a statement carried on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, the airline said it did not have a single Asian-based crewmember or pilot.
It also said that any crew would be employed under the labour laws of the country in which they are based.
The Irish Aviation Authority also disputed claims made in DeFazio’s letter, saying that the airline’s pilots and crew would be subject to the highest labour standards.
It also said that the letter was full of “well-worn and false arguments and is an attempt to confuse the matter”.
IALPA said that the transatlantic flights were bad for competition and that they opposed them, citing concerns that staff would be used from a third-party company based in Singapore.
The flights were originally meant to begin in April of this year. However now that the matter has been put forward for arbitration, it could be 2017 before a resolution is reached.
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No way are these inmates afraid to talk to inspectors, they are experts at manipulation and complaining, and the “prison watchdog” will run with it to justify its existence and big salaries.
@Raymond Barry: experts at complaining? Sure they’re only trotting after you.
It appears to me that to say that a black prisoner is a ‘raisin in a bowl of rice’ is not racist, not even a micro aggression, just a rather poetic way of referring to a difference in a prison where no more than 8% of prisoners were from ethnic minorities. But, as my mother taught me, ‘It is easy to sleep on another man’s wound’.
@Patrick Brompton: nah, it’s racist.
@Mac Muinteoir: It is absolutely not racist!! Get a grip!
What a load of b…Ollix.
Prison officers.. the highest paid unskilled (sorry 6 weeks training doesn’t qualify as skilled workforce) in the country ..
@Paul Doyle: you do it so
@Paul Doyle: If it’s so easy Paul to get the highest salary with no input then tell me why you didn’t jump feet first to secure this lucrative job or maybe the fact it takes three years including work placements, probationary period and obtaining a higher certificate in custodial care and practice might have put you off, not to mention that thousands apply for these positions when recruitment commences and not all are suitable or have the professionalism , tolerance or maturity to deal with society’s most offensive individuals. Frankly I don’t think they are paid well enough for what they do, at least at some stage the prisoners get out while the officers do life to the point of retirement.
@Honeybee: thousands apply for exactly the reasons I mentioned above
@Paul Doyle: there all guarda rejects and messed up army recruits
@Paul Doyle: lol nonsense.
A 3rd level qualification in Custodial Care is now required, along with Control & Restraint training & 3yrs training as a Recruit Prison Officer before they become Prison Officers.
Speaking about a job you clearly understand nothing about, would seem a little ignorant & uneducated to me Paul. A very tough job dealing with some very dangerous & violent individuals, keeping you safe.
@Ellie Mae: shameful insult to my husband who is neither thanks very much – seems you’re actually a school reject Ellie Mae – it’s Guard or Garda
@Ellie Mae: they’re,not there,Garda,not Guarda……….sounds like someone failed to get past the written exam,the procedure for recruitment is a very thorough process ,the IPS don’t go out and trawl the streets looking for candidates,they have a very deep pool to choose from,now run along and get the last of your Christmas presents and keep your sarky comments to yourself.
@Paul Doyle: you need to know the job before you comment on how un skilled it is.
I suggest you should apply for the job to get you off the armchair and then come back and inform the public how un skilled it is.
@Pádraig O’Faolain: I’m sure he’d be the best warden in the world,he just can’t get past the first part of the exam…..Q1.Name.
Excessive political correctness, just like Papal infallibly is a curse, not a blessing.
Wouldn’t have happened with Gypsy Joe in charge
@Robert O’Neill: leave that poor man alone he was my hero
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