Military Aircraft

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2023

Tuesday, 26 September 2023

Questions (150)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

150. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 89 of 20 September 2023, what time and date an airline (details supplied) submitted the original request; what time and date the airline informed his Department that the US military informed them that the aircraft was not carrying munitions; to clarify whether his Department is aware as to who or what was being transported on this flight; if his is not aware, to request this information from the airline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41539/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Deputy Jack Chambers)

The application for an exemption to permit the carriage of munitions of war on the flight that landed at Shannon Airport on Wednesday, 6 September, was first received by my Department on Saturday, 2 September at approximately 1600hrs, then revised and resubmitted on Monday, 4 September at approximately 0500hrs. Such revisions are commonplace and arise with changes to times, aircraft, or other operational factors.

At 1507hrs on Tuesday, 5 September, before the flight was to depart the US, the air operator informed that, having contacted its customer, no munitions of war were to be carried on the flight. This update negated the requirement to be granted an exemption.

My officials have engaged again with the air operator who has confirmed that the flight carried military personnel with no weapons.