Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate that the number of requests and approvals for landings by US military aircraft at Shannon Airport to date this year is broadly in line with that for the same period last year. Successive Governments have followed the same policy in respect of Shannon for many years. The facility of landing there is afforded not only to planes from the United States but also to those from other friendly nations. In all cases - I include the United States in this - landings must comply with the strict conditions I have outlined.