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P 221318Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY DUBLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9984
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHBL/AMCONSUL BELFAST 0997

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUBLIN 000203 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS TO DHS FOR DAVID TIEDGE AND CLINT LAMM 
 
E.O.  12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAIR ECON PREL PGOV EI
SUBJECT: U.S.-IRISH PRE-CLEARANCE PROGRESS: DEMPSEY MEETING READOUT 
 
REF: 09 DUBLIN 0100 
 
DUBLIN 00000203  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary: Post met with Irish Transportation Minister 
Dempsey on May 20 to review current progress on the implementation 
of DHS/CBP preclearance operations at Shannon and Dublin airports. 
Dempsey confirmed that he expected a delay in the opening of the 
preclearance facility from July 1 to July 29.  The Charge d'affaires 
noted that the U.S. is sorting out issues related to the increase of 
CBP staff by 21 positions in Shannon, and that all efforts are being 
made to have staff in place by the end of July.  It was agreed that 
a concerted and focused effort needs to be continued by both sides 
to ensure successful implementation.   End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (U) Charge d'affaires, Acting DCM, and MGT Officer met with 
Minister of Transport Noel Dempsey and officials from the Irish 
Department of Transportation (DOT) and Derek Mooney, the political 
advisor to the Irish Defense Minister, May 20 to discuss progress on 
the implementation of DHS/CBP preclearance operations at Shannon and 
Dublin airports.  The Charge emphasized that there has been a strong 
push from officials in Washington to ensure that things are in place 
for a July opening.  He noted that during his visit last week to 
Shannon, airport officials reported a delay in the construction of 
the new facility, pushing the start-up date from July 1 to the end 
of July.  The Charge noted that the new facility is very impressive, 
and that the small delay may actually work in the USG's favor, since 
there are still some staffing issues to be sorted out.  He reported 
that we plan to increase staffing at Shannon by 21 additional 
positions by the end of July.  The Charge summarized that the 
situation looks good for an end-of-July start of preclearance 
operations, and that he will be sure to keep the Minister and the 
DOT up-to-date so that there will be no surprises should any further 
delay develop. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) The Charge expressed support for the plan of the airport 
authority to have a grand opening or formal launch of preclearance 
operations at Shannon airport in September, including high-level 
attendance and significant press coverage.  He noted that the timing 
of the arrival of the new U.S. Ambassador is still unknown but that 
he should be in place before the launch event.  The launch would 
include full preclearance operations for commercial and general 
aviation. 
 
¶4.  (U) As for Dublin, the Charge remarked that the situation looks 
very good, as there is more time to finalize the facilities and 
staffing issues.  He reported that an additional 21 CBP positions 
are also expected in Dublin before preclearance operations begin 
next year. 
 
¶5.  (U) Minister Dempsey confirmed that construction of the Shannon 
preclearance facilities has been delayed but is now scheduled to be 
completed by July 17, and could be equipped, tested, and fully 
operational by July 29.  Dempsey expressed concern that action had 
been slow on finalizing protocols and SOPs, but understood that it 
was to be expected during the change of administration in the U.S. 
He noted that much progress had been made in recent weeks.  DOT 
emphasized that construction of the facility has focused on meeting 
CBP's requirements, and that the planned window for installing all 
CBP equipment was prior to the departure of the contractor on July 
¶17.  To that end, it is vital that CBP get everything into place for 
installation of their equipment, including import licenses and any 
other requirements for delivery, Dempsey stressed. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Minister Dempsey noted with irritation that he has become 
aware of CBP and TSA's interaction with stakeholders, including the 
airport authority and airlines, without informing or including the 
Department of Transportation.  He emphasized the importance of DOT 
involvement in such interactions to ensure that legal and policy 
considerations were being addressed as decisions were being made. 
He said he wanted it to be "loud and clear" that the DOT needs to be 
kept aware of, and involved in, every step, meeting and decision 
throughout the process. 
 
¶7.  (U) Dempsey emphasized that the Irish government wants to avoid 
any additional USG requirements for Shannon at this late stage.  He 
raised, for example, concerns about U.S. Department of Agriculture's 
desire to bring in dogs as part of the operation.  Dempsey stressed 
that both governments must agree on whether any additional 
requirements would be appropriate under Irish and EU law and how to 
implement such arrangements under the current agreement. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) Dempsey also noted that there needs to be room for 
negotiation on operational matters.  While the U.S. believes that 
exceeding the EU requirements is fine (as long as the minimum 
requirements are met), Dempsey suggested that the new EU regulations 
expected later this year will be much less flexible, setting both 
floors and ceilings for what could be required of airlines and 
travelers.  When issues have been raised by DOT to TSA (for example, 
the issue of checking shoes), the response has been "That is our 
 
DUBLIN 00000203  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
requirement - full stop."  Dempsey remarked that there needs to be 
room for practical compromises, noting that "in the end, if the 
procedures do not work for airlines and for passengers, there is no 
value in the program." 
 
¶9.  (SBU) Dempsey reported that the Irish legislation to enable the 
preclearance operations is currently being circulated among all 
government ministries for final comment and that it will go to the 
Parliament in June.  He fully expects it to be passed by the end of 
June. 
 
¶10.  (SBU) Comment:  The Irish government is working hard to ensure 
that the preclearance facilities are open as soon as possible. 
Ministers Dempsey and O'Dea (Defense Minister who could not attend 
the meeting but who sent his chief advisor) are hugely invested into 
the end of July start-up of the program.  The U.S. government must 
be ready as well, or risk a significant rift in bilateral relations. 
 Embassy Dublin will continue to work with DHS to expedite the 
resolution of the local staffing problems, which remains an obstacle 
to opening preclearance facilities at Shannon Airport by July 29 as 
now planned. 
 
FAUCHER