Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Taoiseach for telling us that he sought a report from the Irish Aviation Authority. That report should be published and the appropriate action taken as set out in its recommendations. The Taoiseach did not say whether there are to be audits at other airports to ensure a comprehensive overview. It seems from media reports that it is not a question of how the knife was concealed but of where it was concealed. People who have hip operations say to me they sometimes set off the metal detector going through the airport. Are the facilities to detect knives or replica bombs inadequate? It would put the fear of God into anybody to think that a person in the same queue to board a plane travelling to America or elsewhere would smuggle equipment onto that plane for terrorist purposes.

Twenty-eight outbound flights were delayed this morning. The early morning flights before 8 a.m. will always be affected seriously by this. Over 18 million people will pass through Dublin airport this year. The Taoiseach and other members of the Government do not have to shuffle through the corral before reaching the point where they have to present their tickets or shuffle through the screening systems. However, consideration must be had for the travelling public. The officials should be able to do their business safely without compromising the public in terms of time.

In this regard one should consider the dithering by Government in recent years over a second airport terminal. If this facility existed to deal with 18 million passengers per annum, it would make it more convenient for people to do their business and travel inwards and outwards. The number of passengers is to increase to 30 million per annum over the next ten to 15 years. The Government should make a decision on the second terminal and conduct an audit of the airports to determine whether the facilities available to the staff are capable of detecting concealed knives.

See this speech in context