Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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35. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any of the hellfire missiles were transported through Shannon Airport by the US Air Force over the past few weeks during the US's transportation of a total of 100 missiles to Iraq from the US; if he will confirm whether several US Air Force Hercules C130 aircraft were refuelled at Shannon Airport during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14493/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I wish to confirm that my Department received no request for permission for the transport of hellfire missiles through Shannon Airport by the US Air Force in recent weeks. Had such a request been submitted, it would have been refused in line with our policy in relation to overflights and landings by foreign military aircraft. Permission has been granted for foreign military aircraft to land at Shannon Airport over the past few weeks, including US Air Force Hercules C130 aircraft. This permission is subject in each case to the strict condition that the aircraft is unarmed, carries no arms, ammunition or explosives, does not engage in intelligence gathering, and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.