Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 315: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he had prior knowledge of the visit of US President, George W. Bush, to Shannon Airport on 1 March 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9325/06]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 316: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he authorised the commander in chief of a foreign army to conduct a meeting in Shannon Airport with US troops under his command who are in military occupation of another country. [9326/06]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he was consulted beforehand on the meeting between US President George W. Bush and United States' troops at Shannon Airport. [9327/06]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 321: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when his Department was notified that the US President would stop over at Shannon Airport to refuel; if his Department was notified that the US President would also address troops as part of this stopover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9388/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 to 317, inclusive, and 321 together.

A request for the aircraft carrying the President of the United States, George W. Bush, to land at Shannon Airport was applied for several days in advance by the US embassy and permission was granted in accordance with the normal procedures. It is entirely normal and appropriate to extend such courtesies to visiting Heads of State and other dignitaries. President Bush's meeting with US military personnel at the airport appears to have been a spontaneous act. Such personnel were in transit as part of a multinational force authorised by the United Nations Security Council.