Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister for his reassurance on the transportation of materials. Is the Minister indicating the Department has absolutely no role in the transport of armaments through the country by companies producing, transporting or exporting weaponry? Is the Department informed of such shipments in or out of the country in any way or does it have any role in emergency planning, considering the amount of weapons being transported through Shannon, some of which are explosive?

Last year I asked questions on what were termed "dangerous goods" being transported from Canada through Shannon to Bulgaria. Do the military authorities lend any advice to the Irish Aviation Authority and the airport authorities on freight craft carrying such materials, and what procedures and protections should be followed? Is there advice on the separation of the civilian population using the Shannon or Dublin airports and military goods? Such separation might involve blast deflection walls etc., used in the presence of goods of explosive nature or where there is a possibility of a major event.

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