Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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104. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason five US Air Force Hercules C130 aircraft landed at Shannon Airport on 29 August 2025 (details supplied); the steps that were taken to establish who and what was being transported on these aircraft and to establish their destination was in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48832/25]

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.

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.

Diplomatic clearance was granted on each of these occasions.