Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 3

Adjournment Debate. - Airport Security.

Mr. Higgins

(Mayo): On 11 September the world was stunned when Sky News and CNN captured the first hijacked airline as it crashed into the New York World Trade Center. Some 20 minutes later the full scale of what was afoot became apparent when the second hijacked aircraft ploughed into the adjacent north tower. The world was stunned and it is still reeling from what occurred. The international, political and security consequences have since become starkly apparent. What came into focus was the issue of airport security. Airport authorities throughout the world carried out an immediate and urgent review of their security systems. The realisation that international terrorism does not know any bounds made it imperative for every country in the western world to realise that countries are not immune from the threat. That terrorists could create carnage on such a massive scale by penetrating the heretofore invincible and invulnerable United States sent shockwaves and a red alert around the world. The message received was that if it can happen in the United States, it can also happen here.

The Irish public was given to understand that Aer Rianta was carrying out a major security review of its systems at Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports. The travelling public took comfort from this assurance. Many of us recall being asked on occasions to step back from the radar screen at Dublin, Shannon or Cork Airports to empty our pockets and hand luggage of coins or keys. What happened at Dublin Airport last Tuesday, 2 October, has shattered the public belief that airport security is adequate. At 6.25 a.m. TV3 journalist, Suzanne Coogan, presented herself at Dublin Airport departures security to take the 6.50 a.m. Ryanair flight to Birmingham. She had in her hand luggage a handyman multi-tool set. This metal object consisted of pliers, two serrated blades, two other types of blades, three screwdrivers and a can opener. It is important to understand the danger of this lethal weapon. I have an exact replica of what was taken through departures security. It is all metal and it folds up neatly into a sachet.

The handbag which held this lethal instrument was placed by her on the security conveyor belt and passed undetected through the system. What occurred was a major breach of security. Fortunately, we are talking about Suzanne Coogan, who is a responsible journalist and who was only testing the system. The system failed the test. However, it could have been anybody, such as a person with a psychiatric condition or a suicide intent terrorist. In the wrong hands, this could have been a replica of New York on 11 September.

This is a major issue of international security. I want to know from the Minister for Public Enterprise what exactly happened. I want to know what steps she is taking to establish how this all metal object, which is more lethal than that which was held to the throats of the unfortunate pilots on 11 September, got through Dublin Airport security. I want to know if the Minister has met the chairman of Aer Rianta on the matter. I want to know if she has examined the airport security video system and what guarantees she has received from the company that there will not be such a security lapse or breach in the future.

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I also thank the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Treacy, for facilitating me to take this matter now as I am in the middle of a meeting.

I saw that instrument yesterday when I met Suzanne Coogan. I asked her to talk to me, which she did at length, and I gave her an interview. I then telephoned the chairman of Aer Rianta and asked him to meet me, which he did within an hour of meeting Suzanne Coogan. I told her that she had walked through security smelling of roses because she is a nice young woman who is open faced and acceptable. However, the same open faces and sweetness of expression can hide much more and that is what happened in other areas where security was breached. I was convinced talking to her and later to the chairman, Noel Hanlon, that this was a breach of security.

I requested a meeting with the chairman, chief executive and other senior management. We were accompanied at the meeting by the assistant secretary of the Department of Public Enterprise who deals with aviation. I initiated this because, like Deputy Jim Higgins, I believe this was a significant incident which happened too easily. The meeting took place yesterday afternoon and I expressed deep concern that this lapse in security should have occurred, particularly given the heightened security procedures which have been implemented at all airports since the terrible events of 11 September. I was and remain disturbed about this incident.

The week I travelled from Shannon to Dublin I had a small nail scissors in a cosmetics bag in my handbag about which I had completely forgotten. The man checking the computer was able to detect it and he asked me to take it out, which I did. I thought it was good that such a small pair of nail scissors could be detected in a cosmetics bag in my handbag. When I saw the implement, the safety blades and the other items Suzanne Coogan had in her handbag which had passed through security I could not understand how my small instrument had been detected, although I am glad it was. The item she had in her handbag is a frightening implement when it is opened fully. I am sure it is a useful tool when one considers all it can do, but it is not good to have it in one's handbag when one is going through security at an airport.

I made it clear at the meeting that it was completely unacceptable to have such a reported breach of security and that Aer Rianta must ensure a lapse will not occur again. The lives of air passengers, crew and, sadly from our experience of what happened in the US, the public are dependent on best security practice being implemented. The chairman expressed his disappointment and concern that there appeared to have been a breach of the security procedures at Dublin Airport. He advised me that a detailed investigation was under way to determine the circumstances of the incident and he reassured me that urgent arrangements would be made to ensure that any further lapse in security arrangements does not occur.

Since the incidents in the US, the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, chaired by the assistant secretary in our Department, has convened six special meetings to date, the first of which took place on the day following the incidents in the US and the most recent meeting was held today. The purpose of those meetings was to review existing aviation security procedures in light of the current security situation. The chief executive, John Burke, and senior officials represented Aer Rianta at today's meeting and the reported incident was discussed. The chief executive informed the meeting that Aer Rianta was now investigating the exact circumstances of the incident and had sought the assistance of others to conclude those investigations. I have asked Aer Rianta to urgently complete that investigation and to go back to the National Civil Aviation Security Committee at its next meeting which will be held next Tuesday. I will receive a report of that meeting at which the committee will decide why and how the incident occurred, and what extra security measures must now be taken to ensure nothing of the kind happens again.