Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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398. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of diplomatic clearances sought from Ireland by embassies in advance for overflight of Irish sovereign airspace by foreign states and military aircraft in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; the number of diplomatic clearances granted for foreign state and military overflight of Irish sovereign airspace for the same period; the countries seeking clearance; and the foreign military aircraft that were seeking clearance and subsequently granted clearance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28642/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Permission for foreign military aircraft to overfly the State is subject to strict conditions. These routinely include stipulations that the aircraft must be unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives and must not engage in intelligence gathering, and that the flights in question must not form part of military exercises or operations. Overflights by US military aircraft are permitted without prior notification, on the basis that the aircraft are unarmed, carry only cargo and passengers and comply with navigational requirements.

The table below provides details of the overflights that took place from 1 January 2017 to 31 August 2020. In addition, from 1 January 2017 to August 2020 a further 92 requests were refused or cancelled.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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399. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has held discussions with the Minister for Justice and Equality on diplomatic clearances sought from Ireland by embassies in advance for overflight of Irish sovereign airspace by foreign states and military aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28643/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In advance of the provision of diplomatic clearance for overflight of Irish sovereign airspace by foreign State and military aircraft, my officials seek the views of the Department of Justice and Equality and other stakeholders.

The procedures for the granting of diplomatic clearance are kept under review and my officials consult with the Department of Justice and Equality and other relevant parties as the need arises.