Private operators of helicopters and aircraft are not obliged to take out third-party insurance under current regulations.
This is leading to growing concern among air accident investigators.
In the past number of years, and with the increase in private aircraft and helicopters, there have been a small number of accidents in which third parties were not covered by insurance, according to personnel in the aviation authorities.
Commercial carriers, including those operating helicopters for hire, are obliged to have third-party insurance before being issued with an air operator's certificate by the Irish Aviation Authority.
However, this does rule does not apply to private operators.
"A lot of people don't realise it. They take a lift on aircraft and helicopters and they may not even be covered by their own life-protection or mortgage -protection policies.
"You will find that these policies sometimes don't cover general aviation," said one senior person involved in air accident investigation.
Proposals to review insurance requirements for aircraft operators at EU level in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, may be broadened to include private operators.
The proposed regulation by the European Commission, advertised recently by the Department of Transport, requires that all air carriers and air operators flying within, into, out of or overflying the European Union would be obliged to have the minimum insurance requirements for damages sustained by third parties.
It is possible that the scope of this regulation will include aircraft used for private flying, according to the advertisement.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said most light aircraft operators were insured for third-party liability, even though they were not obliged to be covered by such insurance.
The Department has taken no formal decision on the EU Commission proposal yet, as it is due to be discussed by a working group in Brussels in September.