Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Transport if aircraft companies are licensed to carry hazardous material using Shannon Airport; the procedures and facilities in place to deal with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14846/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The carriage of munitions of war, weapons into or through Irish airspace or into Irish airports is prohibited under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989, unless an exemption has been issued by the Minister for Transport.

All applications under the above Orders by civilian aircraft are submitted to the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) by my Department for their observations in respect of hazardous or dangerous goods or materials. The IAA ensures that all such requests are compliant with current safety regulations for the safe transport including packing of these goods by air as approved by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

In considering whether to grant an exemption my Department also consults with the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Defence and Foreign Affairs.

Limited quantities of dangerous goods may be carried into and through Irish airspace without special exemption under the provision of Annex 18 to the Chicago Convention and provided that they meet the limitations of the ICAO "Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air".

Foreign military aircraft may only land in or overfly Irish territory with the permission of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.