Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of U.S. troops that have passed through Shannon Airport in each year since 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34443/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that US soldiers transiting through Shannon generally travel on chartered civilian airlines. My Department does not collate information with regard to the number of military troops on board civilian aircraft. However, on the basis of information collected by the Shannon Airport Authority, I understand the number of troops that have passed through Shannon Airport in each of the years in question is of the following order: 2002 - 73,000 2003 - 122,000 2004 - 159,000 2005 - 341,000 2006 - 281,000 2007 - 263,000 2008 - 256,000 2009 - 265,000 2010 - 161,000 (Jan – Aug).