Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey.

Aviation security at EU airports is governed by EU Regulations (EC) Nos. 2320/2002, 300/2008 and 820/2008. These regulations established common Community rules in the field of civil aviation security and have been in force since January 2003. The regulations, along with a series of supplementary implementing regulations, have been adopted into our national civil aviation security programme.

All Irish airports with commercial flights are required to comply with the requirements of the regulations and the national civil aviation security programme. These requirements include measures for the screening of passengers, cabin and hold baggage. The regulations stipulate that all passengers and their cabin baggage shall be screened in order to prevent prohibited articles from being introduced into security restricted areas and on board aircraft. Similarly, all hold baggage and cargo is required to be screened prior to being loaded onto an aircraft.

The operation of aviation security at Irish airports is subject to monitoring by the Department of Transport's aviation services and security division to ensure that airports meet the requirements laid down in EU regulations. However, the management of security practices and procedures at Irish airports is a day-to-day operational matter for the relevant airport authority.

The Minister for Transport did not have the benefit of Senator Keaveney's contribution when he prepared his reply. The Senator has raised an interesting issue and I will convey her views to the Minister. I hope, however, that I have adequately explained the legalities of the matter.