Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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186. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update regarding the large convoy of propelled aeroplanes and helicopters that flew across north County Dublin at approximately 4 a.m. on the morning of 30 October 2022, with particular reference to whether this was a military convoy; if permissions had been sought or granted for its activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56586/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by the Irish Aviation Authority that the traffic situation referenced involved the Garda helicopter being tasked to an operation in North Dublin and this coincided with the arrival of transatlantic flights to Dublin Airport. The helicopter was integrated with these arrivals in order to get to the operational area as expeditiously as possible. No military aircraft were involved.

A flow of transatlantic flights normally occur around this time of night and the Garda helicopter can occasionally be tasked to various parts of Dublin and surrounding areas. There are no restrictions to Garda helicopter operations.