Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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629. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the alleged use of Irish controlled airspace by two Russian bomber planes on 28 January 2015; if he has spoken to the Russian authorities regarding the incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7104/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rules, it is normal practice for the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) to be informed by the relevant State of any military flights operating in Irish controlled airspace. Ensuring the application of this practice is an important consideration and as this did not occur in this particular instance my Department has raised the issue with ICAO and outlined concerns arising. It is emphasised that the IAA coordinated closely with its UK counterparts at all stages during the incident so as to avoid a risk to any civil aircraft during the incident. Although there was no such risk on this occasion, such non-notified and non-controlled flight activity is not  acceptable.  

I have collaborated closely with other members of the Government in relation to this incident and on the development of an agreed response. As part of that agreed response, and under the instruction of my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, a senior official from that Department has met with the Russian Ambassador.  The official conveyed the serious concerns of the Government about the unacceptable safety risk which could be posed by non-notified and non-controlled flight activity.  The Ambassador undertook to bring the concerns expressed to the attention of his authorities in Moscow.