Labour advice for aviation watchdog

The aviation regulator should receive clear directions on Government policy when the office is established, the Labour Party said yesterday.

Its Public Enterprise spokesman Mr Emmet Stagg said the regulator, Mr Bill Prasifka, should be provided with an Order on policy to ensure accountability.

Mr Stagg's proposed amendment to the Aviation Regulation Bill was rejected by the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, at a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport. That Bill will formally establish Mr Prasifka's office. While the Minister would meet the regulator when his office was established, she said the issuance of policy "Orders" to him would be "very strong". She planned to reflect on the issue before the committee next met.

Ms O'Rourke added: "A comprehensive policy direction is very stark." She suggested this would not foster the independence required in any regulatory regime.

Mr Stagg said: "It is impossible to have impartiality without knowledge of the policy umbrella.

"It would be necessary from the point of view of people who use the airports and pay the charges. It's very important that they can know the riding instructions given to him."