Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 October 2024
26. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the actions he has taken to establish if any weapons that were used by the Israeli military to fire on UNIFIL positions recently passed through Irish airspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42049/24]
View answer28. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the actions he has taken on foot of the revelations of a media outlet (details supplied) in relation to the illegal transportation of weapons through Irish airspace; the capacity of the Defence Forces to ensure that aircraft do not transit Ireland without the permission or knowledge of the State; the analysis undertaken to establish whether any such munitions were involved with the loss of life in Palestine and or Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41695/24]
View answer45. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to reports that weapons of war bound for Israel have been illegally trafficked through sovereign Irish airspace, if he has conducted an analysis as to whether any such munitions have endangered the lives of Irish peacekeepers deployed on mission with UNIFIL to south Lebanon. [42017/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 28 and 45 together.
I believe the Deputy may be referring in his question to a recent report of planes transporting weapons to Israel through Irish airspace. In the first instance, I would like to clarify that the Department of Transport holds the authority and responsibility for overseeing matters related to Irish airspace. As the Deputy is aware, my colleague the Minister for Transport recently confirmed that his Department is examining allegations made in the media regarding civil aircraft flights and the carriage of munitions of war. I underline that it is expressly prohibited for civil aircraft to carry munitions of war in Irish sovereign airspace without being granted an exemption to do so by the Minister for Transport.
I understand that my colleague the Minister for Transport's Department is engaging with the airlines and air operators involved and is working to establish the nature of the cargo concerned. This work is ongoing and will seek to ensure that any action taken is on the basis of established facts. At the end of August, the Department of Transport arranged for the issue of a notice to airmen, NOTAM. This served to further remind air operators of their obligation to seek an exemption to carry munitions of war.
Therefore, it is not possible for my Department to ascertain the specific nature of the cargo being transported on flights passing through Irish airspace, or indeed the provenance of weapons used in Lebanon or Palestine. I have, on a number of occasions however, reminded Israel of its obligation to abide by the rules of international law, and I have also highlighted that there should be full accountability for any such actions that breach international or humanitarian law. I have also condemned any incidents of firing at UN peacekeepers in the strongest terms, stating that it is reprehensible and unacceptable to injure peacekeepers and to put them in harm's way.
