Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ireland's longstanding policy of military neutrality which has been pursued by successive Governments is characterised by the non-participation of Ireland in military alliance. This commitment was reconfirmed last year in the context of my Department's foreign policy review and in the White Paper on Defence which was also published last year. Successive Governments have made overfly and landing facilities at Shannon available to the US for well over 50 years. This facility is also made available for military aircraft from other countries. From 2013 to 2015, permission was granted in respect of requests from 23 countries. The same conditions apply to all landings by military aircraft. These arrangements do not amount to any form of military alliance with the US and are consistent with our policy of military neutrality.

In relation to the specific instance raised by the Deputy on 1 July, I do not have information on that particular aircraft but I will endeavour at the earliest opportunity to appropriate this information and to contact the Deputy's office on it.

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