Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not have much to add. I reiterate that this section applies to all of the airports, not just to Shannon. What we are doing here is updating and restating the existing powers of authorised officers at the airports. The powers of officers are set out in several different Acts dating from 1973 to 2004. Some of the language used in those earlier Acts does not reflect modern usage and needs to be updated, but no additional powers are being provided here for authorised personnel.

In the short time that was available, it was not possible to ascertain the validity or otherwise of including the Deputies' amendments in a Shannon Bill as such amendments would have required consideration and proper engagement with the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Garda Síochána.

I should also point out that the amendments as proposed do not provide for obligatory inspections or even random inspections and that we continue to accept diplomatic assurances from the United States in regard to military and Government aircraft as it and other countries accept ours. As an aside, I was not aware the US had searched the Government jet during the then Taoiseach, Mr. Ahern's period in office. I was interested to hear that. I am not sure whether they were acting on a complaint or evidence, or whether it was a random search.

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