asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the large ($300,000 US) ransom reportedly paid by the Italian national airline to a hijacker in Thailand recently; and if he will state the agreements and understandings that exist between the Irish Government and other Governments and international bodies regarding the payment of ransoms and the treatment of hijackers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Payment of Hijacker Ransoms.
15.
I am aware of newspaper reports concerning the case referred to by the Deputy. Three international conventions relating to unlawful acts against civil aviation have been adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, of which Ireland is a member. The conventions, which have been ratified by Ireland, are the Tokyo Convention of 1963 on offences and certain other acts committed on board aircraft, the Hague Convention of 1970 for the suppression of unlawful seizure of aircraft and the Montreal Convention of 1971 for the suppression of unlawful acts against the safety of civil aviation. Effect has been given to the Tokyo and Hague Conventions by the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1973, and to the Montreal Convention by the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1975.
The conventions and legislation I have cited form a comprehensive code designed to prevent all forms of aggression against airports, air navigation facilities, aircraft, their crews and passengers and to ensure that offenders are apprehended and punished. This country is totally committed to the suppression of hijacking and other unlawful acts which threaten the safety of civil aviation and we co-operate closely with other administrations in a wide range of measures designed to achieve that objective.