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 our international partners, and is implemented in full compliance with Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality.
It is the longstanding policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs not to disclose details relating to the specifics of diplomatic clearance requests, as such information is provided by Embassies in the expectation of the maintenance of confidentiality.
With respect to the aircraft in question however, I am satisfied that the correct diplomatic clearance procedures for foreign military overflights were followed in full.
The Department of Foreign Affairs also publishes statistics in relation to overflights and landings of foreign military and state aircraft on our website. This includes details on the number of German military aircraft that have landed in Ireland this year.
My Department is committed to the highest standards of transparency and, as such, will continue to publish details relating to overflights and landings on a monthly basis on the Department’s website, as well as working to compile and publish historic data relating to overflights and landing of foreign military aircraft where and when possible.
