Written answers

Wednesday, 9 November 2016

Department of Defence

Military Aircraft Landings

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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43. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will publish the records maintained by the Air Corps on the numbers, country of origin and types of foreign military aircraft that were given permission to land at Casement Aerodrome from 2010 to date in 2016; and the reason for these permissions. [33812/16]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Military Authorities that the number of foreign military aircraft that landed at Casement Aerodrome in the period from January 2010 to date is set out in the following tabular statement:

YearCountry of OriginNumber
2010France 11
Poland 4
UK 2
USA 7
YearCountry of OriginNumber
2011Belgium 1
Italy 1
Monaco 2
UK 6
USA 21
YearCountry of OriginNumber
2012Germany 1
Netherlands 2
Poland 1
UK 2
USA 31
YearCountry of OriginNumber
2013Belgium 1
Iceland 1
Poland 6
UK 4
USA 18
YearCountry of OriginNumber
2014UK 3
USA 4
YearCountry of OriginNumber
2015Portugal 1
Switzerland 9
UK 4
USA 4
YearCountry of OriginNumber
2016 (to date)Italy 17
Sweden 6
UK 14
USA 2

It may be noted that the Military Authorities have advised that the above figures reflect the up-to-date position having re-examined the aircraft landing records. It should also be noted that these figures reflect the number of foreign military aircraft that landed at Casement Aerodrome rather than the number of permissions granted.

The reasons permission was granted for these landings include crew training, aircraft refuelling, maintenance, transporting dignitaries or high level officials participating in visits to Ireland and air show participation.

In accordance with the legislative requirements of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly or land in the State require the permission of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. A request is received by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from the relevant embassy of the visiting/overflying foreign aircraft. This request is then forwarded to a number of parties including the Department of Defence and the Department of Justice and Equality for observations and confirmation that the aircraft can be facilitated for landing at Casement Aerodrome.

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