Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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148. To ask the Minister for Defence if the Government executive jet operated by the Defence Forces was searched this year before it took An Taoiseach to Washington for the St. Patrick's Day ceremony, as happened on 16 March 2008; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14260/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that the Taoiseach’s flight earlier this month was not subject to any search prior to its departure from Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel en-route to Washington. I have been informed by the Air Corps that the US Customs pre-clearance carried out at Dublin Airport before the departure of the Ministerial Air Transport flight on 16 March, 2008 took place at the request of the Air Corps. This was to avoid possible logistical difficulties that may have arisen at the airport of arrival in the US, which had some restrictions in terms of its customs facilities. The pre-clearance procedure did not involve a search of the aircraft.