Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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135. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the military aircraft that are accessing Irish airspace, their purpose, their point of origin and destination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36713/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft overflying or landing in the State. My Department considers requests for permission to transit Irish airports or airspace in consultation with relevant Departments and agencies.

In September 2015 permission was granted by my Department in respect of 134 overflights and landings of military aircraft from the following countries:

Australia

Canada

Czech Republic

Denmark

Egypt

France

Germany

Greece

India

Italy

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Lebanon

Mexico

Morocco

Netherlands

Pakistan

Palestine

Romania

Russia

Sweden

USA

Most requests for landings by foreign military aircraft concern aircraft refuelling, crew and passenger rest, with smaller numbers relating to the transport of dignitaries, flight crew training, airport familiarisation and aircraft maintenance. A substantial number of requests in September 2015 concerned travel by foreign dignitaries to New York for the UN General Assembly.