Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2008
305 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a company (details supplied) is using Shannon Airport; and if he or other Departments have had discussions with regard to same. [35541/08]
View answerI have no function in relation to day-to-day matters at Shannon Airport. These fall within the commercial remit of the Dublin and Shannon Airport Authorities. However, I have made enquiries on this specific matter and I am informed by the Dublin Airport Authority that no company or aircraft operator named Blackwater has used Shannon Airport.
306 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport the restrictions in place on the passage of weaponry through airports here. [35542/08]
View answerThe carriage of weapons and munitions of war on civilian aircraft is prohibited under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order, 1973, as amended, unless an exemption from this prohibition is granted by the Minister for Transport.
The Department of Transport seeks the views of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in relation to applications for an exemption from this prohibition. If the weapons/munitions are classified as ‘dangerous goods' by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the application is also forwarded to the Irish Aviation Authority. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform forwards all such applications to the Garda Síochána. If any of these bodies objects, an exemption will not be granted. A copy of the application is also sent to the Department of Defence for information.
Military aircraft carrying munitions require authorisation from the Department of Foreign Affairs. Policy in relation to overflights and landings by foreign military aircraft is based on the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952.
