Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Permission for foreign military aircraft, including US aircraft, to fly over Ireland or land at Irish airports, is governed by strict conditions. These 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 any part of military exercises or operations.

This policy is well known and is fully understood by the United States and other international partners, and is conducted in compliance with Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.

With regard to the specific aircraft in question, I can confirm that this did not land in Shannon on 3 March 2024, but it did fly through Irish airspace on that date, with full permission to do so. Specific arrangements for the US were established in 1959, where 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. This aircraft landed in Shannon on 5 March and departed on 6 March, following the submission of an advance diplomatic clearance request, which was approved in line with the usual procedure.

As the aircraft in question met the stringent conditions laid out by my Department for overflights and landings, I am satisfied that the correct diplomatic clearance procedures were followed in full.