Press release
Minister Ross signs amendment to Civil Aviation Security law
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Shane Ross T.D. has announced that he has signed legislation that will amend the existing law on civil aviation security and establish a cost recovery mechanism for the security oversight role undertaken by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). This regulation is known as the European Communities (Civil Aviation Security) (Amendment) Regulations 2020.
Speaking on the announcement Minister Ross said: “These regulations will provide the basis for the IAA to exercise proportionate mechanism to recover the costs associated with the oversight and inspection of civil aviation security. This practice is very much in line with other EU member states, who have already established formal mechanisms for funding this type of activity.”
The Minister went on to say: “This regulation sets out a new industry levy in the form of fees payable by regulated companies. It is hugely important for the aviation industry in Ireland that it can rely on a robust aviation security regime and this new charging model will enable the IAA to expand its oversight and inspection capabilities in line with increased aviation activity and volumes linked to economic growth.”
Speaking about the legislation Peter Kearney, CEO of the Irish Aviation Authority said: “The IAA welcomes the publication of the Statutory Instrument No. 632 of 2019 in relation to civil aviation security fees. Aviation security is one of the pillars relied upon for assuring the safety of the travelling public and continuing aviation security compliance, monitoring activities of the aviation community is a key deliverable for the IAA. This legislation now provides certainty in terms of cost recovery for the IAA and will allow us to continue to develop and evolve our aviation security oversight responsibilities, in line with national policy. The legislation provides the framework for assuring aviation security oversight and compliance into the future”
Additional Information
• In 2013 the Irish Aviation Authority was designated the Appropriate Authority for the purpose of Regulation (EC) No 300/2008 on common rules in the field of civil aviation security, as provided for under Statutory Instrument 551 of 2012, the European Communities (Civil Aviation Security) (Amendment) Regulations 2012.
• This involves responsibility on the IAA for compliance monitoring based upon a National Aviation Security Quality Control Programme (NCASQCP) against implementation of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) and includes approval of regulated entities aviation security programmes and training programmes and related matters.
• The purpose of aviation security oversight by the IAA is to ensure that regulated entities are fully implementing security controls in accordance with their responsibilities under the NCASP.
• In 2016, the Department consulted publicly on the principle of aviation security charges and the outcome of this consultation culminated in the drafting of these Regulations. Following a request from the Department, the IAA issued a formal notification to all regulated bodies subject to these Regulations in November of this year.
• The European Communities (Civil Aviation Security) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 will come into operation on 1 January 2020.