Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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91. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the landing of a US military plane in Shannon Airport with a fixed weapon, his plans to curtail and stop the movement of military aircraft through Irish airports and airspace. [48955/13]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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124. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has any concerns at the use of Shannon Airport by United States military aircraft; the reason an aircraft armed with a fixed weapon landed in Shannon Airport in September; his views on whether there is a need for inspections of US military aircraft as they pass through Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48996/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 124 together.

As I have stated in this House previously, I am aware that one US military aircraft recently landed in Shannon Airport armed with a fixed weapon. The aircraft therefore did not comply with Ireland’s policy conditions, which require that military aircraft are unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives, do not engage in intelligence gathering, and that the flights in question do not form any part of military exercises or operations.

The Government views any breaches of these conditions with the utmost concern, and, as the Deputy will be aware, the case in question was raised at the highest possible level with the US Embassy. The Embassy official expressed regret at this isolated incident, explained that it was due to an administrative error and provided assurances that steps have been taken by the US authorities to ensure that there is no recurrence.

A system for dealing with requests for landing by military aircraft at Shannon already exists and is being fully implemented. It is also kept under regular review to ensure that compliance with all relevant provisions of Irish legislation is maintained. The introduction of a system to inspect military aircraft passing through Shannon is not under consideration.

Arrangements for the overflight and landing of US military aircraft at Shannon Airport have been in place continuously under successive Governments for over fifty years. I am satisfied that these arrangements are fully consistent with Ireland’s policies and legal requirements, including our traditional policy of military neutrality. There are no plans to curtail or to stop the movement of military aircraft through Irish airports and airspace which takes place in accordance with these conditions.