Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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82. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 235 of 22 January 2025, the reason an individual (details supplied) was informed that he would be required to fly into Belfast before being transported to Tullamore Hospital due to restrictions on private ambulances entering the tarmac at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8337/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Aviation security is a matter that is highly regulated at international, European and national levels and all regulated entities, including airport operators, are required to comply with rigorous standards and are subject to national and international oversight. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) oversee industry compliance while the implementation of aviation security measures are a matter for the airport operator, in this case daa. daa has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport and all associated operations.

Access to the security restricted areas of airports is covered in detail in European regulation. Regarding the specific question on an individual case, and in light of daa's responsibility for their operations, I have referred the Deputy's question to the daa for a direct response. If you do not receive a response within 10 working days please contact my private office.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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83. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the guidelines his Department has provided to State owned airports in regard to the access of private ambulances onto the tarmac; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8338/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The primary purpose of aviation security is to counter the risk of an unlawful act of interference in civil aviation. It is highly regulated at European level and subject to national oversight by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). International and European regulation and supplementary national measures are applied through the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) which I have responsibility for adopting, as Minister.

The NCASP is a restricted document which sets out the aviation security measures to be applied for the safety of the travelling public and is not shared publicly. Access to the security restricted areas of airports is covered in detail in European regulation and set out in the NCASP.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) oversees industry compliance with NCASP requirements and from time to time issues guidance material on aviation security matters to airport operators and others to support compliance. The IAA is responsible for the development, maintenance, and dissemination of guidance material. I understand IAA has recently issued guidance to airport operators regarding the verification of medical transfers and access for ambulances not responding to emergencies. The content of guidance on the NCASP cannot be shared publicly.