James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together.

All operators of aerodromes open for public use, whether certified under European regulation or national regulation, are required to establish an aerodrome emergency response plan. The purpose of this plan is to set out procedures for co-ordinating the actions and response both by the aerodrome operator and Principal Response Agencies (Local Fire Service, National Ambulance Service and An Garda Síochána) in the event of an emergency occurring at, or in the vicinity of the aerodrome. In addition, the operator is required to conduct a full-scale emergency exercise at intervals not exceeding two years and a partial emergency exercise in the intervening year, to test the adequacy and effectiveness of the plan and address any deficiencies which may have been found during the full-scale exercise.

In compliance with Regulations, Dublin Airport has a detailed Emergency Response and Business Continuity Plan. The Business Continuity events covered by this plan cover both aircraft and non-aircraft incidents. The plan outlines the escalation, notification, and activation triggers for the required teams to keep the airport running under changed circumstances with the objective of recovering the airport operations as soon as possible.

It should also be noted that once the emergency plan has been established for aerodrome certification, licensing purposes, the Irish Aviation Authority conducts oversight of the aerodrome operator’s continued compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

On a Government level, in accordance with the Strategic Emergency Management Framework, my Department is the Lead Government Department (LGD) for emergencies in the transport sector which require the convening of the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) to deliver a ‘whole of government’ response. The emergency planning and crisis management function of the department has been enhanced in recent years, and a revised emergency response framework has recently been put in place. Regular engagement also takes place with all agencies under the aegis of my Department on emergency management and preparedness matters.

In an event where services at Dublin Airport may cease on a temporary basis, passenger traffic could be diverted to our other State airports, Shannon Airport (which can accommodate all aircraft) and Cork Airport. Passenger traffic could also be accommodated by smaller regional airports where appropriate.