Vol. 575 No. 1
87 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if cargo planes under US military control landing at and taking off from Shannon airport after refuelling stops have carried loads of lethal missiles; if this poses major risks for Irish people's safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25538/03]
As I have stated in replies to previous questions on this subject, most requests for exemptions under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, are received from civilian air carriers carrying military troops with their personal weapons and ammunition.
Approximately one third of requests for exemption are received from cargo carriers. The cargo contained on these flights includes items such as helicopter parts, rockets, grenades and cartridges. The items are described using their UN classification codes, UN identification numbers, and ICAO technical packing codes rather than by brand names or mark types. Accordingly it is not possible to say whether any of the munitions mentioned by the Deputy have been carried in cargo planes that have refuelled in Shannon airport. All applications for exemptions received, including details of the cargo, are submitted to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and the Department of Foreign Affairs for their observations, and to the Department of Defence for information. The application is also submitted to the Irish Aviation Authority for its observations, as the day-to-day oversight of aviation safety falls within its remit. Should any of these bodies express an objection to the operation of these flights, I would refuse to grant an exemption under the 1973 Order.
The regulation of military flights through Irish airspace is a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
