Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government's recent review of foreign policy and the Defence Forces White Paper on Defence confirmed that Ireland will continue to maintain its traditional policy on military neutrality in terms of non-membership of military alliances and non-participation in common or mutual defence arrangements.

The issues of over-flight by foreign military aircraft and the use of Shannon Airport by military aircraft are the responsibility of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. However, the Deputy will be aware that successive Governments have made over-flight and landing facilities at Shannon Airport available to the United States for well over 50 years. These arrangements are in line with our traditional policy and military neutrality. The Defence Forces has no responsibility for the search of foreign military aircraft landed at Shannon Airport.

In regard to the Deputy's question on cost, expenditure relating to the deployment of Defence Forces personnel at Shannon Airport is met from the Defence Forces annual Vote.

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