asked the Taoiseach if, arising from his reply to Question No. 4 of 3rd November, 1971, he is in a position to state whether any of the 17 incursions over the Border by British Army aircraft have interfered with civilian air traffic carriers or disrupted civilian aircraft flights of any kind; and if the heights and speeds of any of these aircraft were such as to facilitate aerial photography of the Republic's territory and installations; and what action, if any, was taken at the time of such incidents.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Border Overflights.
1.
None of the air incursions by military aircraft interfered with or disrupted civilian air traffic. In the case of the confirmed incursions—all by helicopters—referred to in my reply of the 3rd November, aerial photography might have been technically possible but not to an extent greater than could be done from within the Six Counties by suitably equipped aircraft. Each incursion is brought to the attention of the British authorities when confirmed by our investigations.
May I ask the Taoiseach if any of these craft were aircraft as distinct from helicopters?
The incident of 29th October involved an aircraft rather than a helicopter. It was not possible then to identify which kind of aircraft it was. Investigations have been proceeding in the meantime; they have now been completed and the result of them is being conveyed to the British authorities for their comment.
Could the Taoiseach give any indication at this stage as to whether the aircraft he referred to last week in reply to supplementaries disrupted in any way or came into the air traffic corridors of this country?
As I indicated to the Deputy, although he may not have heard my original reply, none of the air incursions by military aircraft interfered with or disrupted air traffic. I am not in a position to say what the plane of 29th October was, whether it was military, civil or otherwise, but as far as I know there was no significant disruption of air traffic. It may have infringed our air space beyond what should have been permitted but, as I said, our investigations have now been completed and the results are being conveyed to the British authorities.
Would the Taoiseach please state how long this aircraft spent in our air space, the way in which it flew, where it flew and whether there is any indication as to whether the type of flying engaged in by the aircraft was to facilitate air to ground photographic reconnaissance?
I should prefer if the Deputy waited until further investigations have taken place because I think it would be wrong for me at this time to give information in advance of the information we have furnished to the British authorities and before we have received their comment.
Are the investigations completed?
As far as we can go.