Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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65. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of Customs officials conducting spot-checks on the contents of aeroplanes landing at Irish airports for refuelling purposes to ensure they are not carrying goods or munitions that make the landing contrary to Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45482/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The responsibilities of customs officials at ports and airports are concerned with goods and persons entering or leaving the State.  Aircraft which land solely for the purpose of refuelling are not involved in importing or exporting goods to or from Ireland, and so are not subject to customs controls.  Thus there is no customs requirement for a declaration regarding passengers, crew or goods on board, nor is there a basis for a customs inspection.

If crew members seek to enter the State or import goods into the State they are, of course, subject to customs clearance.