Weapons shipments through Irish airspace
Deputy O’Callaghan demands action to prevent munitions bound for Israel crossing Irish airspace. The Tánaiste says the Transport Minister is examining the legal and logistical issues and will provide an urgent update.
When will the Tánaiste take action to stop munitions destined for Israel going through Irish airspace?
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My colleague, the Minister for Transport, is currently investigating a number of issues and reports that were brought to his attention in relation to that. There is a very significant logistical issue in terms of what happens in skies well above our territory. The Minister has received a number of issues that were brought to his attention. He is pursuing that and I will ask him to provide an urgent update to the Deputy.
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With respect, that is the same answer we have been getting all year. We are told that the Minister is investigating, has gotten reports and is looking into it. Munitions that are being used in a genocide are going through our Irish airspace and the Tánaiste needs to act to stop that from happening. Enough of the excuses about looking at reports, investigating and so forth; when is he actually going to act to do something about this?
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When is the Deputy going to outline what proposal he thinks the Irish Government should put in place in relation to this?
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Prosecute them.
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The Minister is looking at all the various legal options that are there. I hope that when I next come to this House to set out the need to invest more in defence, security, radar and sonar, we will not be accused of militarisation but will be accused of actually having a better understanding of what happens in our skies and seas.