asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if Irish airports are to be equipped with new scanners capable of detecting plastic explosives such as semtex; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I can understand the concern which motivates the Deputy's question after the tragic events at Lockerbie. As I told the House in my Dáil reply of 12 April 1989, I asked the National Civil Aviation Security Committee for a speedy review of aviation security after the Lockerbie disaster. This review was completed some time ago and as a result steps have been taken to increase the level of security at Irish airports.

Aer Rianta are in the process of installing more sophisticated scanning equipment at Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports, which will improve the capability of the airport security staff to detect, inter alia, explosive materials.

When does the Minister hope to have that installed?

Aer Rianta are in the process of installing it?

Will it take 12 months or 12 weeks?

It will be the latter rather than the former.