Waterford Pilot School - Labour Query

Wednesday, 11th July 2012

Labour deputies query 'drip drip' information about Waterford Pilot School

Concern about the 'drip-drip' way information emerging from the suspended Waterford-based Pilot Training College (PTC) was expressed in a joint statement by Kilkenny and Waterford Labour Party TD's Ann Phelan and Ciara Conway.

The South-East TD's want to know why in a 12 month old disagreement between PTC and its Florida based training provider did the Irish Aviation Authority not intervene before the issue festered. Deputy Phelan said that as a member of the South East Regional Authority she was "part of a successful push to grant-aid support for the training school through Enterprise Ireland in 2008 and 2010."

Deputy Phelan went on to say that "I am deeply concerned about the welfare of students, some of whom stand to lose substantial amounts of money."

Deputy Conway said that "It is inexplicable that the Aviation Authority, which is charged with upholding financial and other standards within the industry, only acted to suspend the operation 10 days after the Waterford school had terminated its relationship with its American partner due to contractual issues."

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin Senator David Cullinane has called on the government to “directly intervene and ensure that the stranded trainee pilots in Florida are able to conclude their pilot training courses.”

Senator Cullinane's remarks follow news that Enterprise Ireland has been a significant investor in the company for the last five years.