Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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136. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason a US Navy Hercules KC130T aircraft was allowed to land and refuel at Shannon Airport on two occasions recently (details supplied); the reason this aircraft was allowed to land and refuel at Shannon Airport in breach of international laws on neutrality; and if steps were taken to ensure that this aircraft was not transporting military materials to Israel in breach of the Government's duties under the Genocide Convention. [6105/24]

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, and is done in compliance with Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality.

With respect to these two landings, I am satisfied that the correct diplomatic clearance procedures for foreign military landings were followed in full and that all the above conditions were fully met.