asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the Russian invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, the Government intend to revoke the deal for refuelling facilities for the Russian airline at Shannon Airport and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Russian Airline Refuelling Facilities.
12.
It is not the intention of the Government to revoke the agreement. Negotiations on this inter-governmental agreement which facilitates technical landings at Shannon Airport by the USSR Airline, Aeroflot, on transit flights between the USSR and countries in the western hemisphere were concluded at talks between officials of the two countries in October of last year. This agreement was a follow-up to a commercial agreement negotiated between Aer Rianta and Aeroflot in July of last year.
Normally a further agreement is not necessary before such a commercial agreement comes into force. However, as the Soviet Union is not a party to the International Air Services Transit Agreement 1944 (under which states mutually exchange the rights to overfly and to land for non-traffic purposes), whereas Ireland is, a further agreement relating to technical landings was necessary.
This agreement relates exclusively to technical landings for non-traffic purposes and is not a bilateral air services agreement. Agreements of the latter type which are more comprehensive than air transit agreements and confer the right to take on or put down passengers, cargo and mail are in force between the Soviet Union and most western European countries.