Air Services

Tuesday, 14 April 2026

Questions (683, 684)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

683. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport whether the Irish Aviation Authority, in its capacity as a prescribed person under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, has in all cases appointed a designated person to independently receive and handle protected disclosures; acknowledged receipt of each disclosure within seven days as required; conducted an initial assessment of whether prima facie evidence of relevant wrongdoing exists; provided written feedback to the discloser within three months or, in complex cases, six months; whether his Department has examined any case where these obligations were not met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24649/26]

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Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

684. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport whether the Irish Aviation Authority has submitted annual reports to his Department as required by Section 19 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 detailing the number of protected disclosures received and actions taken; whether those reports accurately reflect the outcome of each investigation, including any investigation closed without a written determination; whether he has at any point been made aware through those reports that a Just Culture investigation was opened and subsequently closed without findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24650/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 683 and 684 together.

The Irish Aviation Authority, while under the aegis of my Department, is in and of itself both a public body and a prescribed body for the purposes of addressing reports received under the Protected Disclosures Act.

I can confirm that the IAA is obliged to report annually to my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation on the number and general categorisation of cases which it received under the Protected Disclosures Act in accordance with the obligations laid out under Section 22 of the Act. However the specific details of and outcomes of those cases are not included within those reports nor are they separately reported to my Department.

In relation to your question concerning the IAA's implementation of its responsibilities under the Act, I have referred this question to the IAA for direct reply. If you do not receive a response within ten working days, please contact my private office.

Question No. 684 answered with Question No. 683.