asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the air corridor and overflight facility, which the Government have made available to British security forces, is the same facility permitted by the then Government, almost ten years ago.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Air Corridor and Overflight Facility.
8.
On 28 September last a Government spokesman stated, in response to inquiries, that arrangements have existed for a long time for aircraft from one jurisdiction to fly, with permission and subject to strict conditions, for a short distance into the other jurisdiction to help in dealing with specific incidents or suspect explosive devices and he confirmed that there has been no recent change in these arrangements.
In accordance with the normal practice in security matters, I do not propose to go into any further detail on these or similar arrangements in the security field.
The question I asked the Minister was whether these procedures which the Minister has now detailed to the House are the same or similar to those permitted by a former Fianna Fáil Government under the then Taoiseach, Mr. Jack Lynch, in 1979?
That is a repeat of the question and I do not think it is necessary for me to give a repeat of my answer.
It is a repeat of my written question to which I have not received a response. I asked specifically if these recent procedures are the same or similar to those granted——
The Chair has to deprecate repetition, but if the Deputy is not satisfied with the Minister's reply she has a way out.
I am not asking for security details other than what the Minister has stated. I am asking for an answer to my particular question which is whether these existing arrangements which the Minister has said existed for some time are the same or similar to those permitted by a former Government under Mr. Jack Lynch.
This is repetition.
I have not got an answer to my question.
I have no control over that aspect of the matter.
The Minister is hiding behind the Chair.
Would the Minister not agree that where these overflights take place for humanitarian reasons with the intention of saving lives and bringing terrorists to justice, they are warranted?
Most certainly they are.