Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2015
623. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 8 of 23 September 2015, if he will provide the information he referred to during the oral discussion with regard to the 190 tons of ammunition and bullets which had been transported over Shannon from the United States of America to Afghanistan; and his views on the matter, having undertaken to provide this information on the day. [40392/15]
View answerThe Deputy referred to 190 tons of ammunition and bullets in the course of the oral discussion on 23 September last. My private secretary wrote to the Deputy on 2 November with the further information I undertook to provide in the course of the oral discussion, namely the monthly breakdown of the number of US soldiers who had passed through Shannon Airport in 2015 and the situation regarding the 48 hour notice period for munitions permit applications. I am unclear as to what further information the Deputy is now seeking. The Deputy's concerns appear to relate primarily to foreign policy considerations, which are not my responsibility. My Department consults with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to foreign policy issues and that Department's views are taken account of before permits are issued under Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973. The primary purpose of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, as amended, is ensuring the safety of aircraft and those on board. Ammunition and bullets are classified as both munitions and dangerous goods. The Irish Aviation Authority is consulted on all applications for permits for such goods and such goods must be packaged and stored in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation dangerous goods regulations.
