Dublin airport has been forced into a major review of its security procedures after officials carrying out an EU security audit managed to evade detection while carrying a replica bomb and knives through security checks at the airport, writes Conor Lally.
The lapses occurred during a joint security audit currently being carried out by officials from the European Civil Aviation Conference and the Department of Transport.
The audit, which began on Monday, involved officials concealing illegal items in clothing or in luggage and taking them through security checks.
A replica bomb concealed in luggage went unnoticed. In two other cases knives were concealed in one official's shoe and in the under-garments of another person carrying out the audit.
The airport's security procedures failed to detect the items, which were all brought past security and into the duty-free shopping area of the airport.
Minister for Transport Martin Cullen has contacted the Dublin Airport Authority about the breaches exposed during the audit. His officials met representatives of the authority last night and were advised on measures already taken to address the security issues.
Department officials will be present at the airport until the audit concludes tomorrow. Mr Cullen has requested a report on the security breaches exposed from both the airport authority and the relevant airline operators.
"Security at our airports is paramount and is taken extremely seriously by Government," he said.
"My department awaits the conclusion of this current audit and will scrutinise its findings carefully. As with all security audits, should the results require remedial action, such actions will be taken."
The Dublin Airport Authority last night issued a statement confirming that the EU audit was taking place. "At this stage, the airport has been made aware of a number of issues that have been identified as a result of this audit," the statement said.
"These issues were addressed with immediate effect and Dublin airport is satisfied that the safety and security of passengers has not been compromised. Dublin airport continues to operate normally".
The Department of Transport conducts regular security inspections and tests of aviation facilities and operators at Irish airports. These are also subjected to audit by the European Civil Aviation Conference working with Department of Transport officials, such as that taking place at present.
The current audit began on Monday and concludes at 2pm tomorrow. The European Civil Aviation Conference is an intergovernmental EU organisation. It aims to "promote the continued development of a safe, efficient and sustainable European air transport system".