Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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456. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views in relation to reports that this Deputy’s office has received from County Donegal of USAF planes and other NATO aircraft that pass over Ireland heading west to east and east to west; the frequency with which these aircraft are using Irish airspace; the purpose of the journeys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55033/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am unable to comment on reports of overflights received by the Deputy’s office in the absence of more specific information on the flights concerned.

Nevertheless, I would note that Ireland requires diplomatic clearance to be sought in advance for overflight of Irish sovereign airspace by foreign state and military aircraft. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions. These conditions 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.

Specific arrangements for US overflights were established in 1959. Overflights of 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 US Embassy provides my Department with post hoc monthly returns on the total number of overflights and the types of aircraft involved.