224 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if, in view of the increased concern of residents living adjacent to airports as a result of the atrocities of 11 September, she plans to introduce new legislation or regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2501/02]

Since the terrorist incidents of 11 September 2001 in the US, the National Civil Aviation Security Committee chaired by a senior official from my Department has reviewed the existing on-the-ground and in-flight aviation security procedures for Irish aviation and has strengthened existing procedures where appropriate. This work is ongoing.

As regards new regulations, my Department will be making arrangements to give legal effect as quickly as possible to a new EU aviation security regulation concerned with establishing common rules in the field of civil aviation security across member states. All the essential elements of these common rules are already being implemented in Irish aviation. The text of the draft regulation in question was approved at the meeting of Transport Ministers on 5-6 December 2001. The draft regulation is to be considered by the European Parliament shortly.

225 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the security, customs, visa and other arrangements which exist at Weston Aerodrome, Lucan, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2502/02]

My Department, on the advice of the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, has been in communication with Weston Aerodrome as well as with the owners of other licensed aerodromes in Ireland in relation to appropriate aviation security arrangements at those aerodromes.