Flights reported to have carried munitions through Irish airspace not in breach of international law, says Eamon Ryan

It is prohibited to transport munitions of war on civil aircraft across Irish airspace without an exemption from the Transport Minister.

News website The Ditch has reported that several flights carrying munitions to weapons manufacturers and contractors in Israel have transited Irish airspace since October 2023.

However, Minister Eamon Ryan said there is “ambiguity” in a number of the cases around whether the airlines required permission for “some” of their cargo.

Mr Ryan said his officials are exploring “legal powers” which regulate the issue while the Department of Transport engages with the airlines in question.

However, he said he is awaiting the completion of the examination of the flights by his officials before determining the course of action.

He conceded that the investigations had taken longer than he wanted but added: “Initial sight of that information would indicate that a number of the flights suggested were not in breach of international law, were not…