Dublin Airport bosses today appeared before a Dáil committee to explain an apparent safety breach in which an undercover reporter claimed to have smuggled knives through security checks to a boarding gate.
Mr John Burke, chief executive of Aer Rianta, the airport operator, was called before the National Civil Aviation Security Committee along with other senior managers.
The meeting came after TV3 reporter Ms Suzanne Coogan claimed to have passed through all the security checks at Dublin Airport despite carrying razor blades, scissors and a miniature tool kit containing four blades, the Dáil heard.
Public Enterprise Minister Mary O'Rourke said there must never be a similar "completely unacceptable" breach again.
"The chairman expressed his disappointment and concern that there appeared to have been a breach of the security procedures," she told Deputies.
"He advised me that a detailed investigation was under way to determine the circumstances of the reported incident and reassured me that urgent arrangements would be made to ensure that any lapse in security arrangements does not occur."
She added: "I have asked Aer Rianta to urgently complete their investigation and that they should report back to the National Civil Aviation Security Committee at its next meeting to be held next Tuesday."
Ms O'Rourke said she had also met Ms Coogan and was "convinced" that the incident had indeed happened.
Senior airport bosses must have the results of their investigation on the desk of the security committee by Tuesday, she added.