The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has primary responsibility for the regulation of civil aircraft.
Civil aircraft are prohibited from carrying weapons or munitions of war through Irish airspace and airports unless an exemption has been obtained in advance from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. In considering requests made by commercial carriers, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport seeks the advice of other Departments, including my Department on any foreign policy issues that may arise.
In considering such requests, my Department will examine the nature of the munitions that it is proposed to carry based on the information provided by the airline in writing to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport when an exemption is sought. My Department generally recommends against granting exemptions to carry munitions of war except for flights carrying troops and their unloaded personal weapons.
My Department’s provision of advice to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in respect of such requests is guided by and accords with Ireland’s longstanding policy of military neutrality.