John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Transport if any of the future scenarios for exercises under the national emergency plan will involve an incident at Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter [12394/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Exercises to test the robustness of the emergency planning arrangements for aviation are a key component of the emergency planning framework. The authorities at Shannon Airport are required, under the Irish Aviation Authority's aerodrome licensing procedures, to establish an emergency plan that provides for the co-ordination of the actions to be taken in an emergency occurring at the aerodrome or in its vicinity. The plan must be tested by conducting a full-scale emergency exercise every two years. I understand that the airport authority conducted an exercise in November 2003 and that plans are being made for a further exercise later this year.