Transport Minister, Eamon Ryan, has committed to forming the necessary legal tools within six months to enable the random, routine inspection of aircraft for illegal arms. He believes it is feasible, advantageous, and suitable to enact regulations permitting such inspections, so long as they are conducted in a diplomatic way that enhances, rather than jeopardises our foreign relations.
This commitment was made in the Seanad, during a discussion surrounding the Air Navigation and Transport (Arms Embargo) Bill. This bill, proposed by the Civil Engagement group’s Independent Senator, Alice Mary Higgins, aims to necessitate mandatory checks on flights.
A decision to postpone progression of this bill for six months was passed in the Upper House, with 22 votes in favour and 12 against, while the Minister develops these legal tools to facilitate random checks of civilian aircraft.
Senator Higgins highlighted that, for the people of Gaza, a six month delay would mean hundreds more nights of terror, and a continuation of Ireland’s potential complicity in the situation.
Following the Seanad discussion, Mr. Ryan reiterated his intention to develop legislation for the inspection of civilian aircraft. He affirmed that no Irish airport or airspace had been utilised for the direct transportation of weapons to Israel.
Senator Higgins had remarked in the Seanad that, despite existing regulations permitting inspections, none had been conducted under the current government since 2020. This was despite knowledge that some planes seeking exemptions were transporting arms, ammunition, or hazardous materials.
The proposed bill would put an end to such exemptions for flights either carrying these dangerous items directly to Israel, or moving them to or from nations supplying weapons to Israel. Senator Higgins emphasised that the majority of exemptions granted had been to the United States and Germany, the largest suppliers of arms to Israel.
She pointed out that Germany’s arms exports to Israel had increased tenfold from €32 million in 2022 to over €300 million during the recent attack on Gaza. In such a situation, she stated, it would be morally wrong for Ireland to be a link in this arms supply chain.
In conclusion, Mr Ryan highlighted that 1,185 exemptions were granted by the state last year, with a small number of requests being refused if the aircraft was transporting more than personal weapons.
He revealed that there are several reasons as to why personal weapons might be carried. For instance, a private security officer might be tasked with safeguarding a diplomat or head of state.
“Out of the 1,185 waivers provided last year, 275 of them were for aircraft that landed in Ireland. Moreover, 309 of these waivers were given to Irish-registered aircraft solely operating beyond Irish territory and airspace,” he added.
He emphasised strongly that no aircraft were permitted to transport any weapon without an exemption. He noted that the implemented procedure was clear and there was no non-compliance detected.
Ms Higgins referred to countries like the Netherlands, which implemented new initiatives to answer to the UN Human Rights Council, “which is now explicitly advocating for an arms embargo on Israel. We have a device at our disposal which we do not effectively leverage.
[Over the course of five years, more than 750,000 troops have used Irish airspace]
She added, “That’s why this Bill is imperative. The Minister has freedom under the current law to give exemptions. When initially penned, it was likely thought that exemptions would be rare, but they have since become commonplace.”
Independent Senator Lynn Ruane stated that Mr Ryan should be conducting checks and not “issuing unlimited exemptions. Each aircraft that goes unchecked is akin to Ireland endorsing a missile.”
Contrariwise, the Minister insisted, “There are no unlimited exemptions. There are times when we say ‘No’.”