RTÉ News has learned that there has been a substantial increase over the past week in the numbers of US civilian aircraft seeking permission to carry munitions on their way through Shannon Airport.
The Department of Transport has told RTÉ that, since 1 January, the number of exemption orders granted was 26.
For the first three weeks of January it was only seven.
It therefore appears that, following a tightening up of the regulations over the past week, at least 19 flights through Shannon have confirmed to the Department that they were carrying munitions and have sought approval to pass through.
It is understood that in recent weeks, the Department wrote to all of the airlines concerned and made them aware of the air navigation order for the carrying of munitions of war through Ireland.
Dáil to debate US access to Shannon
The Dáil will have its first chance to vote on the use of Shannon Airport for US military flights to Iraq this week.
A private members' motion put down by a number of Independent TDs will be debated on Wednesday and Thursday.
The motion is jointly drafted by Tony Gregory and Joe Higgins, and also supported by Deputies Seamus Healy, Jerry Cowley and Finian McGrath.
It calls on the Government to immediately withdraw all landing and refueling facilities in Shannon for US military planes and any other aircraft carrying US military personnel, arms or munitions that may be used in a war in Iraq.
It also condemns what it calls the 'brutal dictatorship' of Saddam Hussein and its suppression of human rights.
