A meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport has been stopped after concerns were raised about allegations made by the Irish Airline Pilots Association in relation to aviation safety.
Committee Chairman Fergus O'Dowd said he was not happy to allow the meeting to proceed until he had a full copy of what was going to be said.
He made the remarks after Captain Evan Cullen of IALPA claimed the Irish Aviation Authority does not respond to complainants who raise safety concerns with them.
Mr Cullen said that when a report is made about aviation safety, the IAA does not have to tell the individual whether an investigation has taken place, or if there is an outcome to the investigation.
"Information on safety provided to the IAA goes into a black hole" he said.
The Mr O'Dowd then intervened saying: "You've made very serious charges about our regulator."
"You are saying that when complaints are made to them, that they do not respond and it’s a black hole," the Fine Gael TD said.
"I'm not happy with this process right now, safety is such a huge issue" he added.
Mr O'Dowd said he wanted to see a written submission from IALPA, which he would then circulate to the IAA before holding another meeting of the committee.
Mick Barry of Solidarity/PBP said the IALPA had waited nearly four hours to be heard at the committee.
He asked that the meeting be allowed to proceed.
Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy said Mr Cullen was making "substantial charges" against an independent and reputable regulator.
"I don't think it’s fair that they are not here to answer the charges against them," he said.
"The body that regulates safety is internationally recognised."
"I don't think we should facilitate unfounded claims without having them here to respond," he added.
Mr O'Dowd said he was going to adjourn the meeting until members had the opportunity to read a full written submission from IALPA.
