Politicians were warned against questioning Dublin Airport operator DAA over claims in a whistleblower’s protected disclosure.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is currently investigating claims made by a whistleblower that the airport’s security standards are “not fit for purpose” and could lead to a terrorist attack.
TDs and senators at the Oireachtas Transport Committee were told during a private meeting that for legal reasons they should avoid asking DAA chief Kenny Jacobs about whistleblower claims.
Legal advice was provided to the committee by the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers, which gives counsel to TDs and senators.
The north runway was also flagged as something politicians could not question Mr Jacobs about because it is a “planning issue”.
The committee’s deputy chairperson, Fianna Fáil senator Gerry Horkan, told the meeting: “Just to remind our members particularly, we are not discussing the north runway planning issue or the whistleblower security issue because that’s related to the Protected Disclosures Act and we’re not in a position to discuss that at the moment.”
A report from the European Aviation Safety Agency last year found seven prohibited items passed through Dublin airport, including guns and explosives.
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