Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has investigated an immediate review of the emergency landing of a plane (details supplied) at Shannon Airport on 28 March 2008; the procedures in place in his Department for sanctioning flights into Irish airports that are carrying weapons, munitions, explosives or other dangerous cargo; if he will carry out a wider review of the landing of planes at Shannon or other Irish airports carrying such cargo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13443/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Air Accident Investigation Unit of my Department was notified by the Duty Manager, Air Traffic Control Shannon at 00.45 hrs on the 29th Mar 2008 of an occurrence that had taken place at 22.20 hrs on the 28th of Mar 2008. The Air Accident Investigation Unit is currently investigating this incident and a report will be produced in due course.

The Chicago Convention permits non-scheduled flights to operate into, to transit through and to make stops for non-traffic purposes in the State without the requirement for prior authorization. However, if "munitions of war or implements of war" are being carried, the permission of the State is required — the Convention expressly prohibits the carriage of such cargo without permission from the State concerned. This is also provided for in national law — the carriage of munitions of war, weapons and dangerous goods is prohibited under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989, unless an exemption has been obtained from the Minister for Transport.

In considering whether to grant an exemption for a flight carrying dangerous goods or hazardous materials, the Department of Transport consults with the Irish Aviation Authority and the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Defence and Foreign Affairs.