A class of 26 air traffic controllers graduated yesterday from the Irish Aviation Authority's training school in Shannon, Co Clare.
A Spanish student joined 25 Irish candidates in successfully passing out during the fourth graduation from the authority's training programme.
A total of 91 air traffic controllers have now graduated since the course was initiated in 1997 and have gone on to work across the air travel industry both nationally and internationally.
Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Mr Tim O'Malley, paid tribute to the authority's safety record at the ceremony in Adare, Co Limerick.
"The profession of air traffic controller is an extremely challenging and responsible one. Air travellers and operators all rely on a professional air traffic management team to get them safely to their destinations," he said.
"I am happy to say that the authority has a wonderful record in this field and the standards it has set have been well recognised by its peers in Europe and beyond."