Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on airport security following recent proposals by an airline (details supplied) to request all passengers to carry their own luggage directly on to the aircraft; his views on whether such a measure would be compatible with standard operating procedures at national airports here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28404/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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While I am aware of recent press articles about suggestions by the airline concerned that it plans to stop passengers checking in any baggage from next year, my Department has not received any proposal of this nature to date.

Security measures specifically in respect of both cabin and hold baggage are currently in place as part of the overall aviation security regime in the State. These measures are in accordance with EU regulations on aviation security and must also comply with the national civil aviation security programme. Any proposed changes to current procedures would have to comply fully with all EU and national aviation security requirements and therefore would have to be approved by the relevant national authorities in all jurisdictions concerned.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Reports suggested that Ryanair was considering a system whereby passengers would carry their main baggage through the check-in area and on to the tarmac and put it into the hold of the plane. Perhaps on landing, a passenger as fit and nimble as the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, might hop into the hold and hand out the bags to the other passengers. This was to be one system. The other that the chief executive of the airline is apparently considering involves airplanes on which everyone would stand and perhaps hold a handgrip like those on the tube or DART. On a serious note, given that both our airlines have instituted steps to enable baggage to be swiftly transferred at least to the point where one boards the plane, are there security concerns that must be considered?

Is the Minister prepared to ask the Department of Finance to publish the cost-benefit analysis it carried out on the travel tax, which is due to yield only €95 million this year? It is alleged by the industry-----

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is beyond the scope of the question, which concerns airline security.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I am broadening the question because it may well be that these kinds of loony proposals for cutting costs are the result of the imposition of unnecessary and counterproductive charges, such as the travel tax. Can we have the cost-benefit analysis of the Department of Finance on the travel tax?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I call the Minister. Deputy Broughan takes two minutes for his one-minute slot.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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There is no such document and the tax was proposed on the back of a cigarette box.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I do not know why the Deputy would seek a cost-benefit analysis that he knows does not exist. I am not quite sure about his logic.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I asked because the Minister will not be able to produce it.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I will provide the Deputy with a very quick cost-benefit analysis, not even on the back of an envelope. The tax is €10 per passenger and the benefit will be €95 million this year and €156 million potentially in a full year. A month ago, I asked the Deputy where he would get the €95 million we would have to forgo if we did not impose the tax and I am still awaiting a response.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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The Government jet would yield approximately €10 million.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Is the Deputy proposing to sell it?

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I refer to the Government jet and the chopper that brings the Minister home to Navan.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Perhaps the Deputy will suggest disbanding the Army? Has he any other proposal?

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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It could be done.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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On a serious point, I heard the suggestion about standing on airplanes some days ago. I had not been aware of it and all I could do was laugh. I am still laughing. With regard to security, there are rules and regulations stipulating what baggage one can bring to certain points in airports. These will be, and must be, enforced strictly.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I attended the European Aviation Conference in Strasbourg last Monday and the issue of logistics associated with baggage arose.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Has the Deputy a question?

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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My question is coming; the Leas-Cheann Comhairle should not worry. At the conference, the cost of scanners was mentioned. Many of them must be upgraded at a cost of millions of euro. Scanners, particularly those for hand luggage, only scan luggage weighing under 10 kg. Therefore, the logistics of trying to enforce the proposed system are not feasible.

I have a serious question on the issue of having passengers stand on airplanes. There was an application in this regard from a Chinese airline called Spring Airlines, which I understand is very serious about the proposal. This is a security matter. The airline proposes to have passengers stand while wearing seat belts and to cut down on food and water. It will be like getting on and off a bus.

Deputy Broughan referred to the travel tax. Ireland is the only country in Europe imposing such a tax to yield revenue to make up for bad governance.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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We cannot discuss that issue.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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There are travel taxes in the United Kingdom, France and elsewhere. In the United Kingdom the revenue is ringfenced for sports, and so on. Will the Minister comment on that?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Minister may reply on the part of the question that is relevant.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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It is not the practice to comment on specific security measures that are in place or which might be implemented at any of the State's airports. As I stated to Deputy Broughan, passengers are not permitted to carry certain articles into security-restricted areas or the cabin of the aircraft. Obviously some such articles are permitted in checked-in, hold-destined bags. Any change to current procedures would have to be approved. Any change must be put to the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, which is chaired by a senior official from my Department and includes airline pilots and representatives from various Departments, including the Department of Defence, Customs and Excise and the Irish Aviation Authority.