Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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36. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 10 of 27 June 2024, if he will respond to the revelations from a news publication (details supplied) that the Israeli military is in fact using Irish airspace to transport weapons to Palestine; if he or his Department have any plans to act for the people of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40645/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The prohibition of the unauthorised carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft is an international rule, as set out in Article 35 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, 1944, known as the Chicago Convention. Article 35 of the Convention provides that no civil aircraft may carry munitions of war in or above the territory of a state without that state’s permission. This is implemented in Irish law in the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders, 1973 and 1989. Under these orders, the carriage of munitions of war is prohibited on any civil aircraft in Irish sovereign territory and on board Irish-registered civil aircraft, wherever they may be, unless an exemption is granted by the Minister for Transport.

The Department of Transport has confirmed that no applications for exemptions to carry munitions of war were received nor exemptions granted, for the civil aircraft flights which were the subject of recent media reports. Accordingly, the Department of Transport is examining those cases including through engaging with the carriers concerned, to determine whether there may have been a breach of the applicable law.

My Department remains in ongoing contact with the Department of Transport on this matter.

Support for a two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a longstanding and integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy. As you know, Ireland upheld its commitment to recognise the State of Palestine in May of this year. The Government has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal and a surge in humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Ireland has provided a total of €56 million in support for the Palestinian people since the beginning of 2023.