Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Our monitoring is robust. I reiterate that my Department at all times has thorough and robust procedures in place with a view towards ensuring the laid down legal conditions for securing permission for foreign military aircraft to overfly or to land in this State are clearly understood and properly applied. These procedures are kept under review. My responsibility as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is in respect of military aircraft, military overflights and military landings. Issues relating to civil aircraft are matters for my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. I would be happy to convey the points raised by Deputy Daly to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

However, under the order of 1952, primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland rests with me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. Again, the practical implementation of this provision reflects Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality.

See this speech in context