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The Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, T.D., has today announced the appointment of Mr. Declan Fitzpatrick as the new Aviation Regulator/Chief Executive of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). The appointment will take effect on the separation of the new Irish Air Navigation Service from the IAA, expected end April 2023. 

Minister Ryan said: “I wish to congratulate Mr Fitzpatrick on his appointment and wish him well in the role. Mr. Fitzpatrick will be Chief Executive of Ireland's newly consolidated Aviation Regulator, responsible for safety, security, economic and consumer protection functions."

It is vital that Ireland's regulatory arrangements are robust and responsive to the many challenges facing the aviation sector. Securing Ireland's international reputation as being to the forefront of regulatory high standards will be central to the new Aviation Regulator's role.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

The Government’s aviation regulation reform initiative involves the establishment of a single national aviation regulator, through the merging of the aviation safety and security regulatory functions of the IAA with the economic and consumer protection functions of the Commission for Aviation Regulation. The IAA’s existing for-profit air navigation services function will be established as a standalone commercial semi-State body the Irish Air Navigation Service also to be known as AirNav Ireland. 

The appointment is made under Section 69 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 2022 following an open recruitment process and consultation with the Board of the IAA. The appointment will take effect on the separation of the new Irish Air Navigation Service from the IAA, expected end April 2023.