Government to decide on air marshals

THE Cabinet is expected to decide within the month if armed air marshals will be allowed on Aer Lingus flights from Ireland to the US.

Speaking after the meeting with the EU Commission in Dublin Castle yesterday, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the US Office of Homeland Security (OHS) notified all governments in December that foreign airlines must have armed air marshals aboard flights, but only those specified by OHS.

Mr Ahern said the National Aviation Security Committee is currently examining the issue of air marshals and would soon report to the Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan.