John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

What are the proper arrangements and protocols in place for the notification of an incident of concern at an Irish airport? I refer specifically to Shannon Airport. Will the Minister of State please outline what are those protocols?

The Minister of State appears to be going back on the word given by the senior Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern. Is the Minister of State aware that the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, told The Guardian on 16 June this year, "Given the fact that an incident like this has happened we would put the [police] on notice that perhaps they should start inspecting on a case-by-case basis"?

Is the Minister of State also aware that on 14 June the Minister stated, the Government "was now going to engage with the US embassy with a view to strengthening the verification procedures and if that entails inspection so be it. We have an open mind in relation to that"? Does the Minister of State still have an open mind?

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