John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Israeli war planes recently landed in Shannon Airport; if this action is compatible with Irish foreign policy in relation to the occupation of Palestine; if permission was sought for this landing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19736/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I would refer the Deputy my reply to Questions Nos. 254 and 260 of 16 May 2006. At the outset, I would point out that the two aircraft in question-both Boeing 707s-are not warplanes. On 28 April 2006, the Department of Foreign Affairs having, in accordance with standard practice, consulted with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, gave permission for two Boeing 707 aircraft operated by the Israeli Air Force to land at Shannon Airport on 5 May.

The landing permission for these two aircraft was granted subject to the normal conditions that apply to landings at Irish airports by foreign military aircraft; namely that the aircraft would be unarmed, would carry no arms, ammunition or explosives, would not engage in intelligence gathering, and that the flights in question would not form any part of military exercises or operations. The practice of permitting landings by foreign military aircraft at Irish airports, subject to such conditions, has been in place for more than fifty years.

The search for a lasting and peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has long been a central concern of Irish foreign policy, under successive Governments. The Government and its partners in the EU firmly believe that the only route to a just and lasting settlement is through the negotiation of a mutually acceptable two-state solution. This must lead to the coexistence of two viable, sovereign and independent states with agreed international borders. We will continue to work to promote an environment for negotiation, despite the obstacles which are so obvious at this point.