Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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159. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is satisfied that an aircraft which landed at Shannon Airport on 21 May 2025 was not operating as a “state aircraft” with reference to the definition provided for by section 5 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1950, or as a "foreign military aircraft" with reference to the definition provided pursuant to S.I. No. 74/1952 - Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952, in light of legal filings submitted by the United States Department of Homeland Security to the US Supreme Court, which described the aircraft as a “military flight” (details supplied); if he is satisfied that the landing of that aircraft without the prior approval by the Government did not amount to a breach of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32758/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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 of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Foreign military aircraft are defined under the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, as 'including naval, military and air force aircraft, and every aircraft commanded by a person in naval, military or air force service detailed for the purpose shall be deemed to be an aircraft used in military service'.

The flight in question was a non-scheduled civil charter flight, which stopped at Shannon Airport for non-traffic purposes. As such, no request for diplomatic clearance was sought or required. Diplomatic clearance to overfly or land in the State is required from my Department for all military and state aircraft, but not for civil aircraft. The regulation of civil aircraft and flights, in accordance with the Chicago Convention, is a matter for the Department of Transport.