Controllers' dispute may delay Dublin flights

Dublin- The Irish Aviation Authority has confirmed there may be disruption to flights through Dublin Airport in the coming days due to a dispute with air traffic controllers. It is understood that air traffic controllers have imposed an unofficial ban on overtime because they say there is chronic understaffing in the air traffic service. They say the system is now completely dependent on overtime and the staff are finding it difficult to take leave.
There are over 300 air traffic controllers in the Republic and 100 of those are based in Dublin.
However sources at their union, IMPACT, say there have been long standing staffing issues due to inadequate recruitment since the 11 September attacks in the US. They claim it will be at least 2009 before additional staff will have completed their training.
They also stress that overtime is a voluntary matter and that IMPACT has issued no official instructions to implement an overtime ban. The Irish Aviation Authority said that as far as it was concerned it was " business as usual" at Dublin Airport. However a spokesperson acknowledged that if there was understaffing in the coming days, it might be necessary to impose restrictions on air traffic in the interest of safety. That would lead to disruption to passengers. The IAA also said that it regarded a withdrawal of flexibility as a breach of Towards 2016.