Written answers
Tuesday, 5 December 2023
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Middle East
Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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140. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps taken to ensure that a US navy aircraft (details supplied) was not transporting US soldiers or military materials for delivery to Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53820/23]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.
This policy is well known and is fully understood by the United States and other international partners.
With respect to the aircraft in question, I am satisfied that the correct diplomatic clearance procedures for foreign military landings were followed in full.
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