Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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110. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 484 of 21 October 2014 if he will correct his response that Hercules C130 registration number 16/8073 was not present at Shannon Airport on 30 September 2014 or 1 October 2014 contrary to photographic evidence and records that it was; the reason this inaccurate response was given; his views that it was not involved in any military operations or exercise, in view of the fact that it was operated by a reserve marine corps squadron called the rangers who have been involved in many operations in Libya and Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44645/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The issue of a landing of a Hercules C130 aircraft at Shannon airport on 30 September or 1 October has been raised on three previous occasions and I have responded on the basis of information provided by the Shannon Airport Authority. The details of the Questions and replies are as follows:

On 7 October, in my reply to Question 38084/14, referring to a Hercules C130 registration 16/8073 at Shannon airport on 1 October 2014, I advised that the Shannon Airport Authority had confirmed that no aircraft matching this description had landed at the airport on 1 October. On 14 October, in my reply to Question 39184/14, referring to a Hercules C130 registration 16/8074 landing at Shannon on 30 September 2014 and being present at the airport on 1 October, I advised that the Shannon Airport Authority had confirmed that no aircraft with the registration number 16/8074 was at the airport on the dates in question.

On 21 October, in my reply to Question 40309/14, referring to a Hercules C130 registration 16/8073 landing at Shannon on 30 September 2014 and being present at the airport on 1 October, I advised that the Shannon Airport Authority had confirmed that no aircraft with the registration number 16/8073 was at the airport on the dates in question.

Requests are routinely received by my Department seeking permission for C130 aircraft to land at Shannon airport. Landings were authorised for the timeframe referred to by the Deputy, but, as previously stated, none of these aircraft bore the registration numbers specified.

I would be happy to review any further information relating to this Hercules C130, registration number 16/8073, should the Deputy wish to make this available.