Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/Peter Krocka

Industrial relations 'concerns' as Government plans Irish Aviation Authority break up

The law to break up the Irish Aviation Authority is currently before the Seanad.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS and other staff in the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) have “concerns” about the break up of the organisation, a union has confirmed. 

A spokesperson for Fórsa, which represents air traffic controllers and other staff in the IAA said that it was understandable that their members are worried about the move but said that industrial action is unlikely. 

The Irish Aviation Authority is responsible for the management of Irish controlled airspace, the safety regulation of Irish civil aviation and the oversight of civil aviation security in Ireland.

But under a Government directive the regulatory function must be separated from the commercial side which provides commercial air navigation services.

“While there are a range of concerns across multiple grades in the organisation there are established protocols and mechanisms that allow for engagement with the company. 

“These dispute resolution measures are very robust and mean that there is no industrial action likely,” a spokesperson for Fórsa said. 

Fórsa would not be drawn on the specifics of the concerns but a source within the IAA said that they centre around conditions and the risk that the work of the staffmembers will be fully privatised.  

A spokesperson for the IAA confirmed that a process of restructuring is underway.

“The institutional reform programme is a complex process involving many workstreams. In this regard, regular staff communications are provided to staff to keep them updated on progress.

“The IAA has been in regular contact will all staff in relation to the restructuring throughout the process and any issues of concern are being handled through the proper staff relations channels.

“This institutional separation will involve the current regulatory function of the IAA separating from the commercial air traffic control business,” the spokesperson said. 

As part of the plan, the IAA said, the Commission for Aviation Regulation will merge with the regulatory function of the IAA to form a ‘new’ IAA which will be responsible for the safety, security and economic regulation of civil aviation in Ireland.

“A new company will be established under legislation to carry out the commercial air traffic control functions of the current and will be rebranded as AirNav Ireland.

“The legislation giving effect to the reform programme, the Air Navigation and Transport Bill, is currently progressing through the Oireachtas legislative process.

“The Air Navigation and Transport Bill provides full protection to the terms and conditions of employment of all staff,” the spokesperson added. 

The IAA spokesperson added that a consultation between management and unions will ensure that there is no impact on employment in the sector.

“Separately, it is agreed with our social partners, that the various components and protections associated with the reform process, as provided for in the Bill, will also be captured in an industrial relations agreement which will be concluded under our internal joint management/union consultation forum.

“Both AirNav Ireland and the ‘new’ IAA will be stand-alone separate legal entities and will continue to provide the high-quality service associated with staff of the Irish Aviation Authority, established over many years,” the spokesperson added.  

A Department of Transport spokesperson said that creating an independent and “well-resourced aviation regulator” would “support recovery in the aviation sector”. 

The spokesperson said that the IAA’s current commercial air navigation service provider will be established as a separate commercial semi-state company.

The department also sought to reassure IAA employees that the new regulatory-only IAA will better serve the needs of the sector and the public.

“As is established practice in agency restructurings of this kind in the public service, the Air Navigation and Transport Bill (currently before the Seanad) will give effect to these reforms and safeguards all employees’ existing terms and conditions.

“All employees will enjoy no less favourable terms and conditions under the new arrangements than they previously enjoyed before the restructuring took place.

“This reform process has been conducted in an open and transparent manner throughout, involving consultation with all staff and union representatives to ensure that all views are taken into consideration,” she said. 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
12 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yeti
    Favourite Yeti
    Report
    Aug 4th 2021, 6:35 AM

    They just can’t leave anything alone.

    107
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Furey
    Favourite Paul Furey
    Report
    Aug 4th 2021, 7:11 AM

    @Yeti: sounds like there’s some logic to splitting up the regulatory and commercial sides to the IAA. One could influence the other to the detriment of aviation in general. There could have been incidents of this in the past.

    94
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute inflation is coming... buy physical silver.
    Favourite inflation is coming... buy physical silver.
    Report
    Aug 4th 2021, 8:37 AM

    As the old Irish government adage goes. If it’s not broken, break it and then have the taxpayer pay for it.

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Hedderman
    Favourite Paul Hedderman
    Report
    Aug 4th 2021, 11:27 AM

    @inflation is coming… buy physical silver.: “The IAA receives no State funding. Its revenues are generated through charges and fees raised from its airline customers and regulatory clients in respect of its operational and regulatory activities.”….. Quote from their website. They also pay a yearly dividend to the govt…… So zero cost to the tax payer

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute inflation is coming... buy physical silver.
    Favourite inflation is coming... buy physical silver.
    Report
    Aug 4th 2021, 11:33 AM

    @Paul Hedderman: so IAA personnel pension is funded from the same source or is taxpayer funded?

    4
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Hedderman
    Favourite Paul Hedderman
    Report
    Aug 4th 2021, 12:08 PM

    @inflation is coming… buy physical silver.: Pension is funded from their revenues as per their website. They receive no tax payer money to operate but actually contribute to the state. Tax on their regular profits and yearly dividend as the state is the only shareholder.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonathan McCoy
    Favourite Jonathan McCoy
    Report
    Aug 4th 2021, 6:43 AM

    What’s the whole point of splitting it up ?

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ally Mc Culladgh
    Favourite Ally Mc Culladgh
    Report
    Aug 4th 2021, 6:56 AM

    @Jonathan McCoy: I’m no expert, it could be an EU thing, it sounds like an EU sort of thing. That is my expert opinion after listening to ATC app for a good while now.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Hedderman
    Favourite Paul Hedderman
    Report
    Aug 4th 2021, 7:17 AM

    @Jonathan McCoy: They are currently regulating themselves which isn’t allowed.

    63
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fr. Fintan Stack
    Favourite Fr. Fintan Stack
    Report
    Aug 4th 2021, 7:18 AM

    @Ally Mc Culladgh: though the article does say, under a government directive, not EU. You would imagine they’d mention EU if it was.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan McDonagh
    Favourite Alan McDonagh
    Report
    Aug 4th 2021, 7:57 AM

    @Paul Hedderman: Neither is government VRT on motor vehicles but that doesn’t stop our glorious leaders ignoring EU rules on that every year !

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Hedderman
    Favourite Paul Hedderman
    Report
    Aug 4th 2021, 8:28 AM

    @Alan McDonagh: Theres EU pressure on them to separate. Govt wouldnt be proactive on it otherwise……. Apples and oranges

    10
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds