Vol. 402 No. 3
55 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason US military aircraft were given permission to refuel at Shannon Airport; if he has satisfied himself that this is compatible with Irish neutrality; if similar refuelling rights have been given to military aircraft of any other country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As I said to the House on 29 August last, in accordance with the provisions of the UN Charter, member states of the United Nations are providing support for the development of the forces being sent to the Gulf at the request of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. In our case, the refuelling facilities given at Shannon are within the bounds of established policy in the event of an international crisis. Such facilities are in keeping with our commitment to uphold the UN Charter and to ensure that it is respected in all its aspects. The UN Security Council, in its Resolution 661 response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, specifically cites Article 51 of the Charter, which provides for the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence of all member states.
The troops transported through Shannon were provided in response to a request for assistance from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Our action in this matter is consistent with our support for action under the Charter. Austria, also a neutral state, provided overflight facilities for these flights.
