Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will clarify the process for the granting of exemptions from articles 6 and 7 of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973; and if a separate exemption must be sought and granted for every flight by and exempted aircraft; the number of aircraft exempt from articles 6 and 7 of the order as of 1 January 2010; the number permitted to take dangerous goods through or over Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14083/10]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Transport if the final destinations of flights carrying arms through Ireland are not known to his Department; the procedures that are in place to ensure they are not destined for embargoed destinations, or destined for end-users likely to commit war crimes or human rights violation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14085/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 132 together.

The carriage of weapons and munitions of war on civilian aircraft is prohibited under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders, 1973 and 1989, unless an exemption from this prohibition is granted by the Minister for Transport.

Applicants must specify the destination of the flight in their application for an exemption. The Department of Transport seeks the views of the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Justice and Law Reform in relation to applications for exemptions. If the weapons/munitions are classified as 'dangerous goods' by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the views of the Irish Aviation Authority are also sought. If any of these bodies objects, the Minister will not grant an exemption. Each application for an exemption is also sent to the Department of Defence for information.

The 1989 Order amended the 1973 Order to allow the Minister to specify the particular aircraft operation that he may exempt from the requirements of Articles 6 or 7 of the Orders. Previously the 1973 Order had provided for exemptions for a class of aircraft rather than a specific aircraft operation.

Regrettably the statistics sought by the Deputy for the number of exemptions granted to date in 2010 cannot be provided due to industrial action.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason 22 applications for permits to carry munitions through Ireland in 2007, as well as 28 in 2008 and 30 in 2009 were not granted; the criteria used to decide if a permit will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14084/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested cannot be provided at this time due to industrial action.