Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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20. To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the effectiveness of his Department's interaction with the Department of Justice and Equality and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding the oversight of foreign military aircraft on Irish territory in relation to our neutrality; if recent interdepartmental discussions have taken place on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1220/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland rests with the Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade in accordance with the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952. Whilst occasionally observations may be sought from my Department by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade in relation to logistical or technical issues, such as radio frequencies to be used, my Department and the Defence Forces have no further role in this particular regard.

Separately, there is ongoing liaison between my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality regarding security matters generally. This includes such matters as the Defence Forces deployments to Shannon Airport that occur in response to Aid to the Civil Power requests for support from An Garda Síochána who have primary responsibility for the protection of the internal security of the State.