Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 274: To ask the Minister for Transport the recent assessment he has carried out into the length of delays at airports here as a result of changes to security measures introduced in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26340/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Management of security practices and procedures at Irish airports is a day-to-day operational matter for the relevant airport authority. These practices and procedures are subject to monitoring by my Department's Aviation Security Division to ensure that they meet the requirements laid down in EU Regulations. Periodic reviews by international organisations, such as the EU Commission and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) are also undertaken.

Regulation (EC) No. 2320/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing common rules in the field of civil aviation security has been in force since January 2003. This Regulation and a number of implementing regulations adopted subsequently, including the new security restrictions on liquids and gels introduced in November 2006, have been adopted into our National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP).

A common position of the Transport Council on a Regulation to replace Regulation 2320/2002 was adopted on 11 December 2006. The proposed new Regulation sets out to clarify, simplify and further harmonise requirements in relation to civil aviation security with the objective of enhancing overall levels of security.

I am satisfied that the aviation security practices and procedures implemented at Irish airports conform to the highest standards set down in the European Union common rules.