Labour Party Deputy for Dublin West, Joan Burton TD, has called for the introduction of permanent customs and security checks at the Weston executive airport and all other small airports around the country following yesterday’s seizure of drugs from a passenger and arrests of the pilot and co-pilot on a flight that had originated from the Weston airport.

Deputy Burton commented, “First and foremost I wish to congratulate Gardai on the success of this operation. They have intercepted a massive amount of heroin that would otherwise have made it on to the streets of either Ireland, Britain, or mainland Europe and brought misery to people’s lives.

“However the fact that two Irishmen were arrested, that the flight originated at a private Irish airport, that an Irish plane was used, and that no security was in place, suggests that our small airports risk being used as staging posts in the international drugs trade.

“Criminals are clearly able to charter private aircraft and proceed to rendezvous points either in this country or abroad, without the authorities knowing about their cargo or the purpose of their journey. This is extraordinary and the Government must move quickly to address this anomaly.

“Moreover, it is also staggering that private individuals who lease their aircraft are totally in the dark regarding what their aeroplanes are being used for.

“There must clearly be a wholesale review of security arrangements at all airports in the country. We cannot have Ireland as a haven, drop-off point, or staging-post in the international drugs trade. Given the importance of the issue, I have called for a special debate on this incident in the Dail this evening.”