Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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140. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade why a plane of the United States of America (details supplied) was given permission to land at Shannon Airport in County Clare on 26 June 2016, given that the plane is a multi-role warplane; if he is aware that the military personnel who disembarked were special forces of the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19018/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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In response to a request from the US Embassy, my Department granted clearance for a landing by the aircraft to which the Deputy refers. Permission was granted on the basis that the aircraft was unarmed and carried no arms, ammunition or explosives, would not engage in intelligence gathering and that the flight in question would not form part of military exercises or operations. In considering requests for the landing of foreign military aircraft, my Department’s primary focus is on whether the flights in question comply with these conditions which do not include a requirement in relation to the numbers and designation of passengers.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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141. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he gave permission on 25 June 2016 for a United States of America military plane (details supplied) to land at Shannon Airport in County Clare, given that these aircraft are used to provide cargo and passenger transportation, as well as forward deployment logistics support and special missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19019/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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In response to requests from the US Embassy, my Department granted permission for landings by the aircraft to which the Deputy refers. Permission was granted on the basis that the aircraft were unarmed and carried no arms, ammunition or explosives, would not engage in intelligence gathering and that the flights in question would not form part of military exercises or operations.