asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the USA formally or informally requested the Irish Government to consider US bases in Ireland in the last four years; if so his response; if the USA has surveyed or requested surveys of Cork/Shannon or made any moves that might be construed as such in order to establish the military viability of such places as bases; if the USA has asked for or been granted facilities for any form of any communications systems on the west or south coasts of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Immigration Preclearance at Shannon.
45.
The agreement between Ireland and the US in relation to immigration preclearance at Shannon permits
"the installation and operation of such communications and inspection aids and equipment as the Immigration and Naturalisation Service requires and as are agreed by the competent authorities of Ireland as being necessary for preinspection".
Any facilities for communications therefore are strictly limited to the requirements of the preclearance operation. I am not aware of any other requests for communications facilities and as regards the other issues raised by the Deputy I am not aware of any requests from the US authorities nor of activities of the type to which the Deputy refers.