Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 4

Written Answers. - Arms Shipments.

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

186 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps which were taken to ensure that trans-shipments of US personnel and equipment passing through Shannon were not in breach of the Irish export licensing system in view of the recent controversy over same. [4596/03]

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

187 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the checks which were put in place during the shipment of US military goods through Shannon by private companies to ensure that advantage was not taken of this situation to deliver arms shipments to other destinations. [4597/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. M. Ahern):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 together.

The list of military items subject to export control is set out in orders made under the Control of Exports Act 1983. Export controls do not extend to the movement of personnel. The Control of Exports Act 1983 defines "exportation" as including the exportation of goods brought into the State for transhipment, whether under bond or otherwise. The purpose of the Shannon stopover by US military aircraft was for refuelling purposes only and did not involve any customs procedures either in relation to the US army personnel or goods carried on the aircraft. In these circumstances, the 1983 Act does not apply.