Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 670: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding discussions he or his Department has had in relation to allowing weapons to be carried by cabin or flight crew and in-flight security officers; the Government's position regarding armed sky marshals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15267/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Transport has a primary role in relation to aviation security matters. Policy regarding armed personnel on board aircraft has involved close co-ordination between my Department, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and An Garda Síochána. In common with other States, the Irish position concerning the acceptance of in-flight security personnel on foreign aircraft arriving at Irish airports is a willingness to permit such operations subject to appropriate protocols and procedures being agreed in advance with the State concerned.

The issue of deployment of armed personnel on board Irish registered aircraft is kept under continuous review by the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, which is chaired by an official from this Department.