Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind the Deputy that prior permission is required for all foreign military aircraft to land at Irish airports. Permission is subject to a strict set of conditions and criteria. Bilateral relations between friendly nations are founded on mutual trust and both parties have an interest in maintaining that trust. Details provided by diplomatic missions, including confirmation that aircraft are unarmed and carry no arms, ammunition or explosives, are therefore accepted in good faith as being accurate. In accordance with international practice, foreign military aircraft which are granted permission to land in Ireland are not subject to inspection.

I assure the Deputy that there is a difference between military aircraft and civilian aircraft, hence the division of responsibility between the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Defence and Tourism, Transport and Sport. Arrangements under which permission is granted for foreign military aircraft to land at Irish airports continue to be strictly governed by conditions, including that they should at no stage carry arms, explosives or munitions.

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