Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not aware that members of the Defence Forces were present. They were called out to provide aid to the civil power on the occasion but I do not have the details of the aircraft the Deputy is speaking about. She speculated on what was on board but the Defence Forces have no responsibility to search foreign military aircraft that land at Shannon Airport. This is a matter for An Garda Síochána and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which can request aid to the civil power. I have set out the cost of aid to the civil power in 2018. I have already indicated on numerous occasions that the Department of Defence has no policy in this area. It is a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and An Garda Síochána. We respond to An Garda Síochána when it requests aid to the civil power. That is the role we play regarding going to Shannon Airport.

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