Report on private airport security due in weeks

A MAJOR review of security at the country’s private airports established in the wake of a plane flying out of Dublin with €10 million worth of drugs, is due to report within the next six weeks, Finance Minister Brian Cowen has said.

Mr Cowen said it was “of major concern” to the Revenue Commissioners that the plane at the centre of the drug seizure last month had flown out from, and was based at, Weston Aerodrome in Dublin.

Labour Party spokeswoman Joan Burton said the Customs Service only carried out 11 planned and three unplanned visits to Weston during a six-month period in which there were 147 flights into the airport.

Mr Cowen said the review was set up following the seizure on September 26 of 10kg of heroin at a Belgian air-strip and the arrest of three Irishmen.

“The fact that three Irish nationals were arrested and that the aircraft, detained by the Belgian authorities, had departed from and is based at Weston aerodrome, is of major concern to the Revenue Commissioners,” said Mr Cowen. There was public criticism following the operation at the level of security provided by Revenue’s Customs Service at private airports.

Ms Burton said: “It is not a question of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted, but of leaving the stable door wide open.

“This is an invitation to any drug criminal to use this mechanism to swamp the country with drugs.”

She said there were 27 private airports in the country and that there had been a significant upsurge in private ownership, leasing and chartering of aircraft and helicopters for private use.

She said taxis and limousines are able to drive right up to the steps of a private plane without customs checks.

Ms Burton also said that when planes were sub-leased there was no requirement for the owners to be informed about the purpose for which the plane was being hired.

Speaking during Dáil priority questions, Mr Cowen said he was aware of the statistics quoted by Ms Burton and said the review would examine the situation.