Military Aircraft Landings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 September 2018

Wednesday, 19 September 2018

Questions (26)

Clare Daly

Question:

26. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1085 and 1086 of 7 September 2018 (details supplied), the measures the airport authority or he has put in place to ascertain if there are munitions or dangerous goods on board aircraft such as this. [37719/18]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department operates a procedure in accordance with the provisions of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, under which airlines wishing to carry weapons or munitions through Irish airspace or airports must apply for each individual flight at least 48 hours in advance. My Department seeks the views relevant Departments, and the IAA is also consulted in relation to aviation safety issues for applications involving munitions that are also categorised as dangerous goods.

In the case of the particular flight operation referred to by the Deputy, I can confirm that no such application was made by the air carrier to indicate it was carrying either munitions or dangerous goods.

In the event that any aircraft is carrying hazardous material, there are notification procedures in place at Shannon to ensure that the fire service is alerted and that the aircraft is parked in a designated remote location, if deemed necessary. I understand no such notification was made in this instance.

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has not considered it necessary or appropriate to establish a framework for inspections of aircraft specifically with regard to compliance with the 1973 Order. Authorised officers of the IAA have the necessary powers of inspection of all aircraft in Ireland for the purposes of ensuring compliance with the safety requirements arising from the Air Navigation and Transport Acts and relevant EU laws.

It should also be noted that where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that an offence has been committed An Garda Siochana has available powers of entry, search and seizure.