Unlike U.K., Ireland has no plans of introducing electronic device ban on Irish flights

DUBLIN, Ireland - Ireland has said that it has no plans to introduce electronic device ban on Irish flights. 

According to a spokesman for he Ireland’s Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, “Aviation security in Ireland is governed primarily by EU rules and regulations and Ireland complies with the EU's common security standards. Security measures at Irish airports have not changed nor are they expected to change in the near future.”

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Irish Aviation Authority said the security measures were constantly under review.

Adding, “The Irish Aviation Authority has noted the directive issued by U.S. authorities with regard to aviation security and the carriage of certain devices to the United States of America from certain other states. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is responsible for aviation security policy and the IAA, who has responsibility for monitoring of compliance with the European and national aviation security regulations, will ensure the implementation of any measures directed by them. The US directive does not affect any Irish airports."

The statement from the department came after U.S. and then U.K. implemented a ban on all electronic devices from being carried in the cabin on flight, with the ban affecting mainly Muslim majority countries. 

The British ban reportedly applies to flights from six countries, including Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia, while the U.S. ban applies to 10 airports in eight Muslim-majority countries. 

A spokesman for the British Prime Minister's office said the measures were based on the "same intelligence the U.S. relies on."

Earlier, the U.S. administration officials said the ban was prompted by "evaluated intelligence" that terrorists continue to target commercial aviation by "smuggling explosives in portable electronic devices."

On Monday, officials had stated, “Based on this information, Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly and Transportation Security Administration acting administrator Huban Gowadia have determined it is necessary to enhance security procedures for passengers at certain last-point-of-departure airports to the United States.” 

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, David Lapan, said the directive runs until October 14 and could be extended for another year, "should the evaluation of the threat remain the same."

The Department of Homeland Security later cited attacks on planes and airports over the past two years in an official statement. 

It said that bombs had been hidden in such items as a soft drink can, in the downing of a Russian airliner over Egypt in October 2015 with the loss of 224 lives, and the laptop used in the unsuccessful Somali attack last year.

It further noted, “Terrorists have historically tried to hide explosives in shoes in 2001, use liquid explosives in 2006, and conceal explosives in printers in 2010 and suicide devices in underwear in 2009 and 2012. Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items.”

Meanwhile, a British Government spokesperson said, "The additional security measures may cause some disruption for passengers and flights, and we understand the frustration that will cause, but our top priority will always be to maintain the safety of British nationals."

Officials argued that the airports were selected based on the "current threat picture."

Officials had stated that the change will affect passengers who travel on roughly 50 daily flights and clarified that crew members are not included in the device ban.

Meanwhile, France’s aviation authority said it was conducting a “risk assessment,” but that the government had not yet decided on how to proceed.

Canada, on the other hand, said it would make a statement on restrictions soon.