Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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268. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any diplomatic action is warranted following reports of Russian military aircraft sightings off the Irish coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34960/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, the Minister for Foreign Affairs is responsible for the regulation of foreign military aircraft overflying Irish sovereign airspace. There is no suggestion that Russian or any other military aircraft have entered Irish sovereign airspace without due authorisation.

It may be helpful to clarify that the area where the Irish Aviation Authority provides air traffic management services extends far beyond Irish sovereign airspace. I do not deny the seriousness of non-identified aircraft entering Irish-controlled airspace and I am advised that the Irish Aviation Authority brings all such incidents to the attention of the Minister for Transport.