Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In regard to the inspection of military aircraft, in accordance with international practice, foreign military aircraft passing through Ireland with the permission of the Government are not subject to routine searches or inspections. The principal of sovereign immunity applies automatically to foreign state or military aircraft, in the same way that it applies to Irish State or military aircraft abroad. Details supplied to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade by diplomatic missions abroad are accepted in good faith as being accurate. Information provided to other states by Irish diplomatic missions seeking diplomatic clearance for flights undertaken by the Air Corps are similarly accepted by those countries to be accurate.

As I have already made clear, my Department has not received any information from An Garda Síochána in relation to the two aircraft which are the subject of the Deputy's question. Questions relating to Garda matters can, of course, be directed to my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald.

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