Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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619. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of a recent report entitled Irradiated Iraq by Ms Barbara Koeppel which reveals that for the past 25 years the US and its allies have been using radioactive weapons containing uranium that have been causing cancers in adults and very serious deformities and birth defects in children; and if he is concerned that Shannon Airport in County Clare may have been used in the transport of such weaponry, thus leaving Ireland open to charges of having facilitated the commission of war crimes. [6421/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy and of the issues raised. The impact of the widespread contamination from explosive remnants of war is an issue of concern to Ireland and one which we have been active in addressing. In particular, Ireland has consistently supported calls for further research to assess the health risks and environmental impact of the use of arms and ammunitions containing depleted uranium in conflict situations. Verification and attribution of the cause of serious health and environmental impacts is complex when examining extended periods of multi-faceted conflict. Ireland has voted in favour of resolutions on depleted uranium at the United Nations since 2007, most recently in December 2014 when General Assembly Resolution A/C.1/69/L.43 was supported by 143 States. These resolutions encourage Member States to provide assistance to countries affected by the use of arms and ammunitions containing depleted uranium, in particular, by identifying and managing contaminated sites and material.

There is at present no international framework or treaty concerning depleted uranium munitions and therefore no internationally agreed definition or prohibition. Ireland does not possess any weapons or ammunition containing depleted uranium. It is the firm policy of the Government that depleted uranium munitions will not be acquired or used by the Defence Forces.

The arrangements under which permission is granted for foreign military aircraft to land at Irish airports, including Shannon, are governed by strict conditions. These include stipulations that the aircraft must be unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives and must not engage in intelligence gathering, and that the flights in question must not form part of military exercises or operations. Requests to permit the landing of foreign military aircraft are considered by my Department on the basis of these conditions. Permission would not have been granted for landings by foreign military aircraft carrying arms or ammunition, including depleted uranium munitions.