Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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131. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the US Navy helicopter that landed at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel on 13 May 2021, at approximately 9am and took off again at approximately 10.30am, was carrying weapons or munitions or was engaged in a military operation or exercise or engaged in intelligence gathering activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26839/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department has responsibility for the provision of diplomatic clearance to foreign military and State aircraft to land and overfly the State. This is subject to strict conditions.

I can confirm that permission was granted in this case subject to the conditions that routinely apply to landings at Irish airports by foreign military aircraft: namely that the aircraft is unarmed, carries no arms, ammunition or explosives and does not engage in intelligence gathering and that the flight in question does not form any part of a military exercise or operation.