Eamon Ryan pledges legislation to allow random searches of aircraft for weapons

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan: 'No airport in Ireland, or Irish sovereign airspace, is currently being used to transport weapons directly to Israel, despite claims otherwise'. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan is set to introduce legislation to allow for random searches of aircraft coming through Ireland that could potentially be carrying weapons for Israel.

The Green Party leader said that existing legislation expressly prohibits aircraft to carry munitions through Ireland without an exemption. However, it does not allow for random checks.