The Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey TD this evening confirmed approval of an interim European-wide response to the airspace restrictions that have resulted from the volcanic ash cloud. Approval of the interim measures was reached following a teleconference this afternoon with Transport Ministers of other EU Member States.
Speaking this evening, Minister Dempsey said: "Safety has been our absolute priority from the start and this cannot be compromised; ever. The decision of Ministers today is based on expert advice and the recommendation of Eurocontrol. The decision this evening means that from tomorrow morning (Tuesday 20 April 2010) new air control measures can come into effect. We will now have three zones (depending on the concentration of ash in the atmosphere) These zones will be more clearly defined in the next few hours and will come into effect from tomorrow morning. This means that we should see more planes begin to fly in the coming days and that's good news for Irish travellers stranded abroad while maintaining safety as paramount."
Concluding, the Minister said: "Passenger safety has always been at the forefront of the measures taken across Europe in recent days. The Taskforce chaired by my Department will continue to provide the most up-to-date information available from all the relevant agencies to the public and to Government."
ENDS
Further information:
Department of Transport Press Office: (01) 604 1090 / (01) 604 1091.
Caroline Ryan (086) 891 5570