Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 November 2023
118. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport to clarify the parameters in which an inspection of an aircraft with an exemption under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons, and Dangerous Goods) Orders can be carried out; how many inspections have been carried out each year within the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50375/23]
View answer119. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport to clarify the parameters officials assess whether an aircraft with an exemption under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons, and Dangerous Goods) Orders has contravened these orders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50376/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 119 together.
In considering all applications made under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989, the Department of Transport consults with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice to determine if there are foreign policy or security considerations to take into account.
The process is robust and includes advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs in respect of international humanitarian law, Ireland’s international obligations and our wider arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation policy.
The 1973 and 1989 orders provide for the inspection of a civil aircraft, only whenever it appears that a flight would be in contravention of those orders.
To date, such an appearance of intention or likelihood of contravention has not occurred and insofar as it can be determined, there is no record of an inspection of a civil aircraft having been carried out pursuant to these Orders. However, it is possible that such an aircraft may have been subject to a safety inspection, pursuant to EU regulation, by the Irish Aviation Authority.
