Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The civil aircraft used to transport munitions or troops through Ireland are subject to the same civil aviation legislation as other civil aircraft. International and national legislation allows for inspection of aircraft from other states and authorised officers of the Minister or the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, have the usual powers of inspection of all aircraft in Ireland for the purposes of ensuring compliance with air navigation and transport Acts. This legislation, like any other legislation, is implemented in a way that is consistent with our broader foreign policy and Government policy. The 1973 order empowers an authorised officer to enter and inspect a civil aircraft if it is suspected that the provisions on carrying munitions of war are being contravened. Where there are reasonable grounds to suspect an offence has been committed, the Garda Síochána has available powers of entry, search and seizure as part of its duty to prevent and detect crime.

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