Press Release

Airport Committee agrees to immediate action following publication of The Independent Inquiry

Thursday, 28th June 2007

Members of the Airport Committee have today welcomed the publication of the Independent Inquiry indicating it raised serious matters for the City of Derry Airport.

They indicated that it had been a difficult period for everyone involved and reiterated the importance of establishing the full facts. The report clearly sets out the challenges for the Council and the Airport and the all-party agreed resolution points to clear decisive action and a path for progress.

Proposing the resolution, Cllr Diver said: “This was a rigorous report and we have a responsibility to move forward and to strengthen the airport for future growth”.

The full resolution agreed today by the City of Derry Airport Committee is:

1. In close partnership with the CAA significant progress has been made at City of Derry Airport to ensure that it is now operating at the safest possible level and that the CAA are satisfied with this position.

2. The systematic failure identified by the CAA has been confirmed by the inquiry. Again in conjunction with the CAA we have commissioned a root and branch examination of the Safety Management Systems which includes

• a. Physical Characteristics
• b. Procedures
• c. Management and Personnel

3. In the interim we have demanded that all information is brought to City of Derry Airport Committee and we will be appointing a Safety Assurance Officer who will report directly to this committee.

4. Council have now given full delegated powers to the Airport Committee.

5. Where there has been serious failings have taken place appropriate action will be taken through proper procedures.

Cllr Gerry MacLochlainn indicated that it was important that all political groupings on City of Derry airport Committee reached this agreed position “ the publication of the independent inquiry raised urgent and serious matters and it is important that immediate action is taken”.

Alderman Joe Miller concluded “Our actions today show that safety is paramount at City of Derry Airport”.

Moving forward an urgent meeting of Council is convened to share the findings and recommendations with the wider Council grouping.

Ends

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