Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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277. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if an Air Corps plane was prevented from entering Swedish airspace due to a failure to submit the necessary paperwork for clearance to a foreign country; the person or bodies responsible for this error; if there will be an investigation into the events; if the aircraft was low on fuel when making the return trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22424/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Air Corps operates two CASA 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, which are unarmed aircraft and primarily used for sea fisheries protection and maritime patrolling. They are also on occasion tasked with providing support such as military transport to the wider Defence Forces.

With regard to this particular mission, the necessary paperwork was completed by the Department of Defence. Whilst in normal circumstances the CASA aircraft would have been cleared to enter Swedish airspace, the requirements of the Swedish authorities were not met on this occasion. I wish to assure the Deputy that we fully respect the laws, practices and procedures of other countries with respect to the control of military aircraft in their airspace. Similarly we expect other countries to respect our laws, practices and procedures with respect to the control of foreign military aircraft in our airspace.

Following the decision by the Swedish authorities to refuse access by our aircraft into their airspace, this aircraft was re-tasked mid-operation and it undertook a maritime patrol. The military authorities have assured me that the mission in its entirety was well within the aircraft’s maximum endurance.