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The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is pleased to announce the appointment, by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Leo Varadkar, TD, of Mr. Ernie Donnelly to the IAA Board for a four-year period, effective from 24th May 2012.

Welcoming the appointment, IAA Chairman, Ms Anne Nolan said: ‘Ernie brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience, particularly in relation to airworthiness and safety and this hands-on experience will be of benefit to the Board. We look forward to working with him over the next four years.'

Mr Eamonn Brennan, IAA Chief Executive and Board member added; ‘Mr Donnelly's experience across many areas of the aviation industry will strengthen the breadth of experience required at Board level to meet the challenges that face both the Authority and the industry in the future.'

Ernie Donnelly currently has operational responsibility for the Authority's SAFA (Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft) programme. He represents the Authority on the EASA SAFA steering group and attends the EU Commission Air Safety Committee.

He also lectures on Continuing Airworthiness Management on IAA sponsored programmes and has been a member of the Services and Enterprises Divisional Executive Committee of IMPACT.

He has extensive experience in the regulatory and safety oversight of airline operators and general aviation in Ireland, and has spent considerable time engaged in the airworthiness certification of Irish registered aircraft operated overseas under lease agreements by Irish based aircraft leasing companies.

Mr Donnelly started his career with Aer Lingus in 1976 and qualified as a licensed engineer in 1982. He joined the Air Navigation Service Office of the Department of Transport in 1989 as an Aeronautical Inspector and transferred to the IAA on its establishment in 1994.

ENDS