Written answers
Tuesday, 9 April 2024
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Military Aircraft
Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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34. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department collects data on the number of permissions granted to US Air Force or US military aircraft to fly through Irish air space and land and refuel in Shannon Airport and other landing facilities; if so, the number of such permissions granted each year from 2018 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14846/24]
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.
The Department of Foreign Affairs publishes statistics in relation to overflights and landings of foreign military and state aircraft on the Department’s website. This information is updated regularly and includes details on the number of US military aircraft that have landed in Shannon Airport and other landing facilities from 2018 to date.
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