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