Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 November 2017
41. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report to Dáil Éireann on the progress made regarding his promised review of the issuing of permits for carrying weapons and munitions on civilian aircraft. [49341/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe internal review of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973 is currently underway. The purpose of the internal review is to identify the options available for various aspects of the Order.
The internal review of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973 is currently underway. The purpose of the internal review is to identify the options available for various aspects of the Order.
The Chicago Convention, which is the main international treaty governing the operation of civil aviation, states that no civil aircraft may carry munitions of war over a state without that state’s permission. This requirement is ratified in Irish law by the 1973 Order. Under the terms of the Order the carriage of weapons and munitions of war is prohibited in any civil aircraft in Irish airspace and on board any Irish registered aircraft, unless an exemption is granted by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
In accordance with the provisions of the 1973 Order, my Department operates a procedure under which airlines wishing to carry weapons or munitions through Irish airspace or airports must apply for each flight at least 48 hours in advance. My Department seeks the views of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to foreign policy issues and the Department of Justice and Equality in relation to security issues. The IAA is consulted in relation to aviation safety issues for applications involving munitions that are also categorised as dangerous goods. If any of these bodies objects, an exemption will generally not be granted.
Officials in my Department are currently liaising with the other departments and agencies concerned and the internal review of the Order should be completed the coming months.
I should point out that the internal review is examining the Statutory Instrument primarily from an administrative and legal perspective. There is no proposal to change the long-standing Government policy of permitting aircraft used by the defence forces of various nations to transit through Irish airspace and airports, subject to appropriate terms and conditions.
