Vol. 545 No. 1
38 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she was shown the multi-purpose implement which was allowed to pass undetected through Dublin Airport security in the possession of a person (details supplied); if she contacted Aer Rianta in the wake of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29757/01]
47 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she is satisfied as to the adequacy of security at Aer Rianta controlled airports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29676/01]
133 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if in the wake of 11 September 2001 her Department or bodies or persons under the aegis of her Department have taken action regarding security at airports and on airlines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30000/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 47 and 133 together.
As regards the circumstances surrounding the incident at Dublin Airport raised by Deputy Higgins, I refer the Deputy to my reply to the Adjournment Debate of 4 October 2001 on this issue, in which I confirmed that I was shown the multi-purpose implement involved by the journalist concerned. My Department has been keeping in touch with Aer Rianta in relation to the ongoing investigation of this incident. I understand that Aer Rianta has consulted its legal advisers with a view to securing all necessary information to facilitate the completion of a thorough investigation of all of the circumstances.
In so far as national aviation security generally is concerned, the standing National Civil Aviation Security Committee – NCASC – chaired by a senior official from my Department has convened nine special meetings to date, the first of which took place on the day following the terrorist attacks in the US. I have been advised that the NCASC has been reviewing aviation security procedures in the light of the current security situation, made arrangements for the implementation of new aviation security measures and continues to examine specific security proposals with a view to safeguarding Irish aviation and increasing the effectiveness of existing practices and procedures.
The purpose of the NCASC is to advise the Government and the civil aviation industry of security policy for civil aviation, to recommend and review the effectiveness of security measures and to provide for co-ordination of the various interests involved. The committee comprises representatives of Departments, Aer Rianta, airlines, the Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, An Post, Customs and Excise, Irish Aviation Authority, the Irish Airline Pilots' Association and the regional airports.
It is not the practice on security grounds to disclose details of any security measures that have been or will be put in place at airports or in relation to airlines but I assure Deputies that appropriate measures are being taken to safeguard civil aviation in Ireland.
