Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 April 2014
11. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of requests made by aircraft from the United States in 2013 for a permit to transport munitions through Shannon Airport; the number of these requests that were refused and the grounds for those refusals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15131/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA permit under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, as amended, is required for any civilian aircraft to transport munitions of war in Irish airspace. In total there were 670 applications by US airlines for such permits in 2013. Of these, 349 flights sought to land at Shannon Airport, while the rest were overflights using Irish airspace, but not landing in Ireland. None of flights landing at Shannon Airport was refused a permit.
There were 13 applications refused from US airlines for overflights transporting munitions. These were refused on the basis of the nature of the cargo.
