Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

127. To ask the Taoiseach if he will indicate whether the recording for data purposes of American soldiers landing at Shannon Airport for refuelling purposes is of visitors arriving here on holiday or otherwise (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42112/13]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The category to which the Deputy refers to are classified as 'transit' passengers. A transit passenger is a passenger who arrives in and departs from an airport on the same flight number and aircraft. Transit passengers are not included within the definition of 'tourists' and are not included in the tourism and travel data published by the Central Statistics Office. Therefore, they have no impact on the numbers of tourists visiting Ireland.