IRISH REACTION TO DHS BAN ON LIGHTERS

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000352 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR PTER SUBJECT: IRISH REACTION TO DHS BAN ON LIGHTERS REF: A. STATE 41383 ¶B. MONREAL-YOUNG E-MAIL OF MARCH 16 ¶1. On March 15, Post provided ref A talking points to Liam Duggan, Department of Transport Assistant Principal for Aviation Security. This demarche followed discussions between Embassy London TSA representative and GOI officials during the week of March 7 in Dublin (ref B). On March 22, Duggan replied to Post and echoed GOI comments from the week of March 7, saying that the GOI had no fundamental problem with, but would not enforce, the DHS ban on lighters on flights to, from, and within the United States. He noted that the Transport Department would have preferred to receive advance notification of the ban, as with any DHS security measure affecting Irish carriers. Duggan also remarked that Ireland, the United States, and third countries lacked the screening technology to detect lighters. As a result, the Transport Department would not issue instructions to airport screeners relating to the DHS ban. The Transport Department would not object, however, to carriers removing lighters from passengers and luggage if discovered. BENTON