Air Navigation Orders

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2017

Tuesday, 3 October 2017

Ceisteanna (515, 516)

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

515. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of applications made to his Department for exemptions for the transportation of munitions or weapons of war through Shannon Airport to date in 2017 under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order, SI 224 of 1973; the number of these applications which were granted and denied, respectively, in 2017; the reason given for these decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41324/17]

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

516. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of US troops who have passed through Shannon Airport to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41325/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 515 and 516 together.

The functions of the Minister under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order, SI 224 1973, as amended, are limited to munitions or weapons of war; I have no function in relation to the transport of troops themselves.

On this basis my Department does not keep records on the number of troops transiting through Shannon Airport. Shannon Airport has informed my Department that the number of US troops that have passed through Shannon Airport from 1 January 2017 to 31 August 2017 was 33,277.

In the period 1 January 2017 to 30 September 2017, my Department received 197 munition of war exemption requests from airlines to land at Shannon Airport, 193 of which were granted.

In relation to the four refusals, these were refused on the advice of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.