Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
286. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Transport when legislation will be introduced so that a regime of routine or random physical inspections of aircraft landing in Ireland can be introduced particularly in relation to the use of Shannon airport by the US military [5211/26]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for civil aircraft only, my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee is responsible for matters relating to military aircraft.
Article 8 of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989 empowers the Minster for Transport to carry out an inspection of civil aircraft flying from any place within the State. The exercise of this power is conditional on there being an appearance, to the Minster for Transport of an intention or likelihood that the civil aircraft concerned is to fly in such circumstances that would be in contravention of the 1973 and 1989 orders. To date, such an appearance of intention or likelihood of contravention has not occurred.
No decision has been taken on the introduction of legislation as referenced by the Deputy.
