National Civil Aviation Development Forum (NCADF) Terms of Reference
1. Background - National Aviation Policy The idea for the Forum arose out of the consultation process leading to the development of the National Aviation Policy (NAP). That process was inaugurated at an open meeting hosted by the IAA in December 2012, attended by more than 400 stakeholders representing numerous interests in the Irish aviation sector. The inaugural meeting presented, for the first time in Irish civil aviation, a unique opportunity and common platform for all stakeholders to share views. In submissions made subsequently to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (D/TTAS) during the consultation phase of the NAP, the view was expressed by some 18 bodies 1 that a framework for wide and regular consultation with the sector should be put in place, bringing together the many entities with a common interest in developing the sector, to give them an opportunity to comment on proposed regulatory changes, to overcome barriers and to optimise synergies and opportunities for growth. Taking the broad thrust of those views on board, the NAP confirms the Department s Policy Position to enhance arrangements for consulting with the industry on the development of national policy and on influencing the development of EU and international policy affecting aviation in Ireland. The NAP includes a specific commitment (Action 9.1) to establish a National (Civil) Aviation Development Forum led by the D/TTAS and with appropriate representation from across Government and industry. 2. Mission Statement of the NCADF The National Civil Aviation Development Forum will strive to make Ireland the most competitive country for aviation globally. The Forum will create a space for collaborative and innovative thinking for the Irish aviation sector, by bringing together the expertise of stakeholders and the collective efforts of decision-makers across all sectors, in order to develop Ireland s position as a global aviation leader and to provide enhanced supports to the broader aviation industry. 1 ACI Europe, CAR, CILT, daa, Dublin Chamber of Commerce, DCU, Fórfas, Enterprise Ireland and IDA, IAA, IALPA, ibec, ICTU, Kerry Airport, Ryanair, Shannon Airport Authority, Shannon Chamber, Stobart Air, University of Limerick, Western Development Commissi on. Note that Fórfas, Enterprise Ireland and IDA provided a joint submission.
3. Purpose and scope of the NCADF In striving to make Ireland the most competitive country for aviation globally the Forum will: A. Act as an informal reference point for the development and implementation of government policy impacting on the aviation sector generally, including by: facilitating reporting to the sector on the implementation of the various strands of the NAP and other policies; identifying issues and strategic opportunities arising for the sector and, where appropriate, making recommendations for adjustments to the NAP and other policies; and providing a forum for consultation of stakeholders on specific issues where there is no existing formal mechanism or where consultation across a broad range of stakeholders on a common platform is considered useful. B. Develop and implement a strategy and policies to grow aviation-related enterprise in Ireland, with a specific focus on: developing capability of the sector across the entire aircraft lifecycle value-chain creating high-value direct and indirect jobs in the sector and sub-sectors developing technology, skills, research and development and supporting structures for the industry promoting and marketing Ireland as an aviation centre of excellence, with a view to attracting inward investment as well as to exporting products, services, skills and expertise. 4. Relationship of the NCADF with the National Aviation Policy (NAP) The Forum will be an additional resource beyond existing structures in terms of moving forward on all the principle goals of the National Aviation Policy which are: To enhance Ireland s connectivity by ensuring safe, secure and competitive access responsive to needs of business, tourism and consumers; To foster the growth of aviation enterprise in Ireland to support job creation and position Ireland as a recognised global leader in aviation; and To maximise the contribution of the aviation sector to Ireland s economic growth and development.
In many areas of the NAP, specific actions have been identified and responsibilities have been assigned, and implementation will proceed under the overall responsibility of the DTTAS. Existing mechanisms such as the National Civil Aviation Facilitation Committee and the National Civil Aviation Safety Committee, as well as arrangements for liaising with industry and regulatory bodies under the aegis of the D/TTAS will continue to be used where possible to consult with stakeholders on the NAP. The Forum additionally will serve to facilitate an overview of progress made and for ongoing, coordinated consultation on strategic proposals to enhance the aviation sector and dialogue on significant issues that arise. 5. Structure of the Forum The Forum will have the following tiered structure: (i) Steering Committee The Steering Committee will oversee the Forum and direct its work. The committee will be composed of up to thirteen senior managers, one from each participating organisation, representing the key industry and government actors in the sector (proposed membership in Table 1). The Steering Committee will be chaired by the D/TTAS with administrative support also provided by DTTAS. The Committee will devise the high-level strategy for the growth of aviation-related business in Ireland within the overall objectives of the NAP, determine the areas for detailed strategy development by focussed Working Groups, and oversee implementation of that strategy. The strategy should focus on how stakeholders should coordinate their respective efforts, identify measures to enhance the environment for the growth of the sector, and make recommendations to Government and industry where appropriate. It is envisaged the Committee will meet up to 4 times per year and that, any representative members would consult within their own sectoral grouping during interim periods between those meetings. The Committee s functions are to: Set the programme of work of the Forum particularly that of Working Groups Consider the reports and proposals of such Working Groups for possible implementation
Determine the appropriate public policy actions to drive the development of the aviation sector in Ireland which will be considered by Government and Departments as appropriate. Review periodically the steering Committee s own membership and size to ensure that the required representation is in place over time Review the functioning and outputs of the Forum periodically to ensure positive outcomes are evident Table 1 Outline membership of the Steering Committee Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport - Chair Irish Aviation Authority daa (Dublin Airport Authority) Shannon Group Representative of other airports Aer Lingus Ryanair Representative of other airlines Enterprise Ireland Industrial Development Authority (IDA) Federation of Aerospace Enterprises in Ireland (FAEI) Representative of the Finance/Leasing Sector Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (ii) Working Groups A small number of Working Groups may be established at the direction of the Steering Committee, to examine areas of specific interest and detail the strategy in relation to those areas. For example, a specific working group might focus on determining the education and training needs to support the overall ambition of the sector, on working with education providers to supply these needs, and on promoting demand for educational opportunities. The size and membership of each Working Group will be determined on a caseby-case basis and must adhere to the following basic principles: It must develop and publish its Terms of Reference It must appoint a Chair It must convene quickly, once approved by the Steering Committee, and maintain the required membership across relevant stakeholders to fulfil its function
It must be focused on a tangible subject matter or specific outcome It must set a specific timeframe to conclude its work It must agree its reporting arrangements with the Steering Committee (iii) Annual Conference An annual conference of all stakeholders in Irish civil aviation, at which the Steering Committee and the Working Groups would present progress made as well as recommendations for future work and information sessions on developments in the sector. The purpose of the annual conference would be to provide additional transparency on the work of the Forum, to ensure there are opportunities for new thinking and new players to contribute and shape that work, and to provide a platform for debate on aviation industry developments generally. 6. Issues relating to compliance with the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 In all instances above to ensure full transparency in line with the provisions of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 Transparency Code all relevant documentation such as this Terms of Reference (and those of Working Groups), meeting agendas and minutes and reporting arrangements will be published to the D/TTAS website on a regular basis. The full checklist of information to be made available publically is set out in Table 2 below. Table 2 information required to be published under the Transparency Code (for each grouping within the Forum) Name of Chairperson together with details of his or her employing organisation Names of Members together with details of their employing organisation Whether any non-public servant members were previously designated public officials Terms of reference of the group Agenda of each meeting Minutes of each meeting Expected timeframe for the group to conclude its work Reporting arrangements In addition the Chair of the Steering Committee will include with any annual or final reports a statement confirming compliance with the Transparency Code. Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport April 2016.
Appendix A Detailed Membership of Steering Committee SC Member Representative Alternate Name Position/Title Name Position/Title Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport Irish Aviation Authority daa (Dublin Airport Authority) Shannon Group Representative of other airports Aer Lingus Ryanair Fintan Towey Eamonn Brennan Assistant Secretary/Director General Civil Aviation Chief Executive Monica Wallace Donal Handley Kevin Toland CEO Marion O Brien Matthew CEO Patrick Thomas Edmond Desmond O Flynn Stephen Kavanagh Michael O Leary CEO, Waterford Airport CEO CEO Representative of Sean Brogan CEO, Stobart Air other airlines Enterprise Ireland David Lucey Senior Development Advisor Industrial Development Authority (IDA) Federation of Aerospace Enterprises in Ireland (FAEI) Representative of the Finance/Leasing Sector Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Martin Shanahan Mark McAuley Chief Executive Director, Federation of Aviation Enterprises of Ireland (FAEI) Basil Sheerin Donal Moriarty Juliusz Komorek Neil O Sullivan Kieran Donoghue Principal Officer, Aviation Services Division Head of Corporate Affairs Company Secretary Managing Director, International Aviation Services Centre (IASC) CEO, Kerry Airport Executive Counsel Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer Manager, Engineering Department International Financial Services and Strategic Planning Policy Aengus Kelly CEO, AerCap Karl Griffin Chief Operating Officer, AWAS. Eamonn McKee Director General, Trade Division Jonathan Conlon Director, Trade Division II
Steering Committee Membership Table last updated 9 September 2016