As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport my functions in relation to the use of Shannon Airport and Irish airspace are limited. Questions relating to Irish foreign policy, including Ireland's policy on neutrality, are for the Minister for Foreign Affair and Trade.
In accordance with the provisions of S.I. No 224/1973 - Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods)Order- my Department operates a procedure 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. In processing these applications, 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.
My Department publishes statistics on its website summarising the number of applications processed on a monthly basis. I am not aware of any reasons as to why the number of applications may have increased this year.
An internal review of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders, 1973 and 1989, is currently being finalised by my Department.
