Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 October 2007
219 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine the number of applications for exemptions from the prohibition on the carriage of munitions on civilian aircraft either landing or overflying this country for each year since 2000; the number of such applications that have been refused; the reason given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22953/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe carriage of weapons and munitions of war is prohibited under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order, 1973, unless an exemption from this prohibition is granted by the Minister for Transport. The Department of Transport seeks the views of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice and the Irish Aviation Authority in relation to all applications for an exemption from this prohibition. If any of these bodies objects, an exemption will not be granted. A copy of the application is also sent to the Department of Defence for information.
The number of applications for exemptions from the prohibition on the carriage of weapons and munitions of war and the number of applications refused in each year since 2000 are set out in the table below. For security reasons, it is not the practice to comment on any reasons given for refusal in any particular case unless the cargo is of a nature that its carriage is specifically prohibited under international law (e.g. the carriage of landmines is prohibited under the provisions of the Ottawa Convention).
|
Year |
Number of Applications Received |
Number of Applications Refused |
|
2000 |
19 |
None |
|
2001 |
26 |
None |
|
2002 |
31 |
None |
|
2003 |
904 |
5 (landmines) |
|
2004 |
989 |
2 |
|
2005 |
1,492 |
None |
|
2006 |
1,384 |
2 |
|
2007 (to date) |
1,170 |
None |
