Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
434. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport to clarify the reporting trigger, format, and escalation pathway applicable where an aviation crew encounters an anomalous or non-cooperative aerial observation that does not fall within the predefined categories of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12764/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra435. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport to clarify whether reports of anomalous aerial observations that are not classified under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1018 are entered into the ECCAIRS mandatory occurrence reporting system as mandatory, voluntary, or discretionary reports; to outline the follow-up oversight process applicable in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12765/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra436. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the recent statement by former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence Christopher Mellon that “it would be a great boon to air safety and national security if Ireland would join the US in mandatory reporting of anomalous aerial observations”; whether he has considered international best practice in this area, including FAA reporting requirements; whether he intends to engage with international counterparts to review Ireland’s reporting framework in light of increasing transatlantic traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12767/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 434, 435 and 436 together.
The legislative framework for the reporting, analysis and follow-up of occurrences in civil aviation to which Ireland and all other EU Member States adhere to is established by Regulation (EU) 376/2014. The Regulation requires Member States to establish both a mandatory occurrence reporting system (for certain categories of occurrences which may represent a significant risk to aviation safety) and a voluntary reporting system to facilitate the collection of details of occurrences and safety-related information not subject to mandatory reporting.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1018 sets out the list of classifying occurrences to be mandatorily reported pursuant to Regulation (EU) 376/2014.
Under Regulation (EU) 376/2014 aviation personnel, including pilots, are responsible for reporting safety occurrences to their organisation and additionally may elect to report directly to the competent authority. In Ireland, the competent authority under the occurrence reporting legislation is the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). The occurrence reporting regulation is implemented by organisations via the Safety Management Systems (SMS) as required under Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012. Organisations must submit reports to the ECCAIRS mandatory occurrence reporting system.
ECCAIRS is a digital platform managed by the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) supporting Member States’ aviation authorities in collecting, sharing and analysing their safety information.
Reports submitted to ECCAIRS are then followed up as appropriate by IAA inspectors, who may seek further information if necessary.
Regulation (EU) 376/2014 includes specific provisions regarding confidentiality of occurrence reports, protection of source and use of data. This ensures, for example, that the name of the reporter is protected, and whether it is a mandatory report or a voluntary report. The protection of safety data, safety information and related sources is essential to ensure their continued availability, since the use of safety data and safety information for purposes other than maintaining or improving safety may inhibit the future availability of such data and information, with a significant adverse effect on safety.
Unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), sometimes referred to as unidentified flying objects (UFOs) or anomalous aerial observations (AAOs) are not, in general, subject to mandatory reporting requirements where those observations do not otherwise fall under the list of classifying occurrences set out in the Implementing Regulation. This is in line with the approach taken in other EU Member States and best practice globally.
