Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 February 2018
20. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the internal review by his Department of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973 has concluded; and if so, when the report will be published. [7737/18]
View answer24. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of applications for exemptions for the carriage of munitions of war through Shannon airport received by his Department in 2017; the number of such applications that were granted; and the number that were refused. [7736/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 24 together.
The purpose of the ongoing internal review of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, is to identify the options available for various aspects of the Order. The internal review will be completed in the coming weeks.
The Chicago Convention, which is the main international treaty governing the operation of civil aviation, states that no civil aircraft may carry munitions of war over a state without that state’s permission. This requirement is ratified in Irish law by the 1973 Order. Under the terms of the Order the carriage of weapons and munitions of war is prohibited in any civil aircraft in Irish airspace and on board any Irish registered aircraft, unless an exemption is granted by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
In accordance with the provisions of the 1973 Order, my Department operates a procedure under which airlines wishing to carry weapons or munitions through Irish airspace or airports must apply for each flight at least 48 hours in advance. My Department seeks the views of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to foreign policy issues and the Department of Justice and Equality in relation to security issues. The IAA is consulted in relation to aviation safety issues for applications involving munitions that are also categorised as dangerous goods. If any of these bodies objects, an exemption will generally not be granted.
I should point out that the internal review is examining the Statutory Instrument primarily from an administrative and legal perspective. There is no proposal to change the long-standing Government policy of permitting aircraft used by the defence forces of various nations to transit through Irish airspace and airports, subject to appropriate terms and conditions.
In 2017 my Department received 340 applications for exemptions under the 1973 Order for flights seeking to land at Shannon Airport. 334 applications were granted and six were refused. The statistical information sought by the Deputy is also published at the end of each month on my Department's website.
