(Mayo): On 11 September the world was stunned when Sky News and CNN captured the first hijacked airline as it crashed into the New York World Trade Center. Some 20 minutes later the full scale of what was afoot became apparent when the second hijacked aircraft ploughed into the adjacent north tower. The world was stunned and it is still reeling from what occurred. The international, political and security consequences have since become starkly apparent. What came into focus was the issue of airport security. Airport authorities throughout the world carried out an immediate and urgent review of their security systems. The realisation that international terrorism does not know any bounds made it imperative for every country in the western world to realise that countries are not immune from the threat. That terrorists could create carnage on such a massive scale by penetrating the heretofore invincible and invulnerable United States sent shockwaves and a red alert around the world. The message received was that if it can happen in the United States, it can also happen here.
The Irish public was given to understand that Aer Rianta was carrying out a major security review of its systems at Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports. The travelling public took comfort from this assurance. Many of us recall being asked on occasions to step back from the radar screen at Dublin, Shannon or Cork Airports to empty our pockets and hand luggage of coins or keys. What happened at Dublin Airport last Tuesday, 2 October, has shattered the public belief that airport security is adequate. At 6.25 a.m. TV3 journalist, Suzanne Coogan, presented herself at Dublin Airport departures security to take the 6.50 a.m. Ryanair flight to Birmingham. She had in her hand luggage a handyman multi-tool set. This metal object consisted of pliers, two serrated blades, two other types of blades, three screwdrivers and a can opener. It is important to understand the danger of this lethal weapon. I have an exact replica of what was taken through departures security. It is all metal and it folds up neatly into a sachet.
The handbag which held this lethal instrument was placed by her on the security conveyor belt and passed undetected through the system. What occurred was a major breach of security. Fortunately, we are talking about Suzanne Coogan, who is a responsible journalist and who was only testing the system. The system failed the test. However, it could have been anybody, such as a person with a psychiatric condition or a suicide intent terrorist. In the wrong hands, this could have been a replica of New York on 11 September.
This is a major issue of international security. I want to know from the Minister for Public Enterprise what exactly happened. I want to know what steps she is taking to establish how this all metal object, which is more lethal than that which was held to the throats of the unfortunate pilots on 11 September, got through Dublin Airport security. I want to know if the Minister has met the chairman of Aer Rianta on the matter. I want to know if she has examined the airport security video system and what guarantees she has received from the company that there will not be such a security lapse or breach in the future.