Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

That reply is wholly unacceptable. This issue has been debated in the Irish media for some considerable period of time, with sources such as five alleged senior personnel in the Irish Defence Forces, personnel in the British Defence Forces or diplomatic corps confirming that such an arrangement exists and the Minister is telling us that national security prevents him from saying so in this House. I simply do not accept that. The matter was raised previously in 2001 and 2003. It was put to the then Minister for Defence, Michael Smith, who confirmed in 2003 that security services had been contacted and that in such an event in Ireland, we would clearly require the assistance of external forces. I will ask the Minister again. Is there or has there been an arrangement of any character with the RAF to intervene in regard to civilian aircraft in Irish controlled airspace?

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