Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 145 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government recently established a Cabinet committee on aspects of international human rights. At the first meeting of the Cabinet committee, it was agreed that the statutory powers available to the civil authorities and to An Garda Síochána regarding the search and inspection of aircraft, including those under the Air Navigation and Transport Acts, would be reviewed in the context of the obligations on the State under the Chicago Convention, which governs international civil air transport. The purpose of this examination is to determine how the current statutory provisions could be strengthened or amended in the context of our agreed international commitments under the Chicago Convention. The review is being undertaken by the Attorney General's office in conjunction with the relevant officials and the outcome will be considered by the Cabinet committee in due course.

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