Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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73. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a schedule will be provided of outbound and inbound international flights in respect of airports not listed on the passenger locator form field (details supplied) and-or place of arrival from 1 to 18 March 2021; the number of passenger locator forms processed in respect of these airports as an entry point to the State over the same time period; and the number of follow-up calls made in respect of the data collected from these forms. [15600/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with EU Single Market rules, EU operators of flights into or out of Ireland do not require an authroisation from my Department and, therefore, my Department does not hold records of such movements. The Department provides authorisations permitting commercial air transport operations by third country air operators to, from, within and over the State. 

During the period in question, an authorisation for such commercial air transport by a third country air operator to the highlighted locations did not issue. However, the operator of a private flight did contact the Department and the operator was advised to route to a State/Regional airport to first satisfy customs and immigration requirements, before continuing to the final destination. 

My Department also now notifies An Garda Síochána of all authorisations issued.

The Department of Health is the data controller in relation to the passenger locator form and any details or statisitics relating to processing or follow-up is a matter for the Minister for Health.

My Department is aware that the Border Management Unit (BMU) has recently contacted Weston Airport management reminding them of their obligations in relation to incoming flights from outside the State.  This includes forwarding all relevant documentation (such as PLF and negative COVID 19 test results for all applicable arrivals) to Immigration Officers prior to the flight’s arrival. The BMU liaises with Weston Airport and other stakeholders such as An Garda Síochána regarding incoming flights on an ongoing basis.