Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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123. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the position regarding the permitted use of Shannon Airport by the US Military is under review, in light of increasing military tensions involving the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35419/25]

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.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.The policy of diplomatic clearance is well known and is fully understood by the United States and other international partners, and is done in full compliance with Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality.Successive governments have made landing facilities available at a number of Irish airports to the United States and other foreign militaries for well over 50 years. Arrangements for foreign military aircraft to land in Irish airports are governed by strict conditions, as I have outlined. These conditions are applicable to foreign military aircraft from all other countries seeking to land in Ireland or overfly Irish airspace. My Department ensures detailed procedures are in place to ensure all relevant parties are fully aware of the requirements relating to applications for permission for foreign military aircraft to overfly or land in the State.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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124. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide greater detail regarding the evacuation of 15 Irish citizens from Israel, specifically the role of Austria in the evacuation, and the reasoning behind the Defence Forces not performing the evacuation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35442/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including Ireland’s Embassies and Consulates worldwide, provides consular assistance to Irish citizens in difficulty abroad within the remit of its Consular Assistance Charter.

Throughout this crisis, my Department and our Embassies in Tehran and in Tel Aviv have remained in regular contact with Irish citizens in the region as well as with our EU, UK, and other partners to exchange information and coordinate our consular response to the situation.

In assessing opportunities to support the departure of Irish citizens, we evaluate the most effective, timely and pragmatic options available. In this instance, it was judged most appropriate to avail of the operations organised under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), as activated by EU partners.

I would like to put on record my thanks to the Governments of Austria and The Netherlands for their close cooperation and support in recent days. Both Governments undertook complex operations which involved transport across land borders and subsequent air travel to their respective countries. In the case of Austria, family members and citizens from 16 partner countries were supported, including Irish citizens and dependants.

This is an excellent example of the importance of international cooperation. Owing to this close cooperation, my Department has successfully supported 24 Irish citizens and their dependants to depart the region in the last ten days .

My Department also continues to work closely with the relevant authorities in Ireland, including with the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, with whom my Department has an important structured relationship.

My Department is continuing to monitor the situation and will remain in contact with citizens still in Iran and Israel over the period ahead.