asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if his Department have received a report of the near miss involving an Aer Lingus plane and an American D.C. 10 over Wales on 11 April 1988; the information available to his Department on the near miss; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

10.

asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he has sought a report from the aviation authorities regarding the circumstances of a reported near miss involving an Aer Lingus plane on the Dublin-Heathrow air corridor.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 10 together.

The reported air miss incident is being investigated by the UK authorities in whose jurisdiction the aircraft were at the time. My Department will receive a report in the matter in due course when inquiries by the UK authorities are complete. In the meantime, any comment by me in the matter would be inappropriate.

While it is appreciated that the UK authorities are involved in a full-scale investigation, nevertheless they have issued an interim report bearing on matters such as the reinstatement of the traffic controller who was temporarily suspended. Has the Minister received any indication of the findings or conclusions of that interim report? Does he know, for example, if the air traffic controller has been reinstated?

The Deputy should not refer to persons outside the House.

It is a matter of public note.

That may be so, but this is a privileged assembly and it is a tradition that we do not refer to persons outside the House.

I am subject to the rulings of the Chair. I would ask the Minister to answer to whatever extent he can the questions I have asked in relation to the interim report.

I could not comment on the individual employee whom the Deputy has mentioned. The Aer Lingus pilot's report was forwarded to the Civil Aviation Authority and the joint air miss working group are considering reports from the two pilots. They will be at liberty to comment, to suggest changes if necessary, to apportion blame. I will be getting that report when it is ready.

Perhaps I could put the matter in a more relevant way. I understand that the height of 31,000 feet is reserved exclusively for Dublin-London routes. Has the Minister requested any interim information to ensure that there would be no invasion, intentional or otherwise, of that air space in view of its importance to Aer Lingus pilots and passengers? Has the Minister taken any steps to assure himself that there will not be a recurrence?

There is no need to elaborate.

The Deputy is not correct in saying that 31,000 feet is reserved for Irish planes. It could legitimately be in use by other planes as well.

This amounts to a little bit more than correctly crossing my t's. It is the level for Dublin-London traffic. Has the Minister taken any action in view of the report of an Irish pilot on an Irish plane——

The Deputy has already asked these questions.

The Deputy is also incorrect with regard to his claim about the height of 31,000 feet. Instructions are issued en route for Irish planes to descend from 31,000 feet.

I am calling Deputy Martin Cullen.

Do I take it from the Minister's refusal to answer the question that he has done nothing at all?

I resent that interruption by Deputy McCartan. He has been caught out not knowing his facts and now he is losing his rag.

I am not losing my rag. I am objecting to the Minister's refusal to answer questions.

The Deputy should do his homework properly.

Deputy McCartan, if you persist in interruptions of this kind I will have to ask you to leave the House.

I am here to ask questions.

Deputy McCartan is now baiting the Chair.

I am not seeking to do that.

It is evident that you are. I call Deputy Martin Cullen.