Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 521: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps taken to ensure that regular checks are carried out on military aircraft landing in Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23721/05]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 522: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has established the truth or otherwise of reports of a transit of international ammunition through Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23722/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 521 and 522 together.

In the case of non-national military aircraft and-or chartered civilian aircraft transporting military cargo, the Garda Síochána is notified in advance of the arrival of all such flights and receives the manifest in respect of cargo.

As a matter of routine, physical checks are not conducted on such aircraft landing at Shannon Airport. However, the Deputy can be assured that the Garda Síochána would conduct a full investigation in any case in which a credible complaint of criminal activity is made, to include, where appropriate, an inspection of the aircraft in question.

With particular regard to allegations of the unlawful transportation of munitions, I am informed by the Garda authorities that no reports of this nature have been received by the Garda Síochána and, consequently, no such investigations are being pursued.