Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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298. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has adopted a policy or guidelines regarding the approval of applications for the transport of munitions of war on Irish-registered aircraft and through Irish airspace since the Minister has taken office; if he will provide details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11057/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The carriage of munitions of war is prohibited on any civil aircraft in Irish sovereign territory or on any Irish-registered aircraft wherever it may be operating, unless an exemption is granted by the Minister for Transport, as implemented in the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989.

In considering applications for exemptions, my officials consult with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice to determine if there are any foreign policy or security issues that need to be considered in the context of each application. The Department of Defence is also informed of all applications.

As part of this consultation process, the Department of Foreign Affairs considers international humanitarian law, Ireland's international obligations, and our wider arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation policy.

The Irish Aviation Authority, the state agency responsible for regulating the carriage of dangerous goods by air, is consulted on any applications for an exemption to permit the carriage of munitions of war also classified as dangerous goods, such as ammunition.

This process is long-standing and robust, all applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and my officials provide a recommendation to approve or refuse, for my consideration and decision.