I wish to raise a pertinent issue regarding air traffic controllers. Many Members have received emails over the past week from air traffic controllers in Shannon, Cork and Dublin in which they outline a litany of industrial relations disputes they are having with the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA. There is an internal mechanism in the Irish Aviation Authority for handling disputes but most at this point agree that it will not be resolved there.

Given the IAA's strategic role in managing Irish airspace, including guiding aircraft in from the transatlantic routes, I ask that there be ministerial oversight and that, through the Department of Transport, we consider appointing an independent mediator to resolve this problem in everyone's interest.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, is abreast of the situation. There are established dispute resolution mechanisms and the parties concerned should seek to avail of them. The issues fall to be addressed in the first instance by the board and executive of the IAA. The Government wants to see this dispute and any outstanding grievance resolved. The Minister will support the process in any way he can to bring that about.