Vol. 405 No. 2
6 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has sought any explanation from the United States authorities for the huge increase in overflights by US military aircraft in the month of July, prior to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The overflights in question took place in accordance with established procedures. An explanation for the increased number was not sought from the US authorities.
We have been monitoring overflights for some years and getting replies from the Minister. How can he explain the fact that in 1989 the average of overflights was 300 per month — in July of that year there were 378 overflights, in August 384 and in September 334, whereas in July 1990, one month before the invasion of Kuwait, the number of overflights doubled to 624 and almost trebled in August to 844 and amounted in September to 725? There were over 2,000 overflights in these months in 1990 as against 1,000 in 1989.
The Deputy seems to be imparting information rather than seeking it.
No, I have sought an explanation as to why this huge increase in overflights took place from one month before the invasion of Kuwait and has continued subsequently. Can the Minister confirm that these planes are not carrying chemical or biological or even nuclear weapons to the war zone in Iraq and Kuwait?
The Deputy has made his point.
I am asking a question, not making a point.
The overflights took place in accordance with the normal conditions governing overflights. Since this is the case, I would not consider that there is a need to raise the question of the number of overflights. With regard to the second part of the Deputy's question, I am satisfied that US overflights meet the conditions set down by me.
The conditions set down by the Minister are that planes are not armed, they are not carrying arms and that they are not on a training, intelligence or military exercise. Is the Minister satisfied that none of these planes are breaking any of the regulations set down by the Minister? How does he find out whether they are or not?
These are the conditions laid down and those conditions govern the permissions given for overflights. We have no reason to believe that those conditions are not being fulfilled.
Of course the Minister has reason to believe they are not. We are going through a war, are we not?
Would the Minister like to give some information to the House in relation to a report in the evening newspaper today which suggests that a B52 plane went down off our coast?
I have to say there are Private Notice Questions tabled in respect of that subject today.
I thought the Minister might like to avail of the opportunity to give the House some information.
We must be fair to Deputies who tabled questions.
Without getting into the content of the question I can only say to Deputy O'Keeffe that just before I left my office I got notice of a Special Notice Question. I presume it was based on the Evening Press report. I will deal with the matter if I can when it arises.
Is the Minister telling the House that he is not even curious about the fact that the number of permitted overflights by the US Airforce doubled in the months before war was declared by Iran on Kuwait and that they have consistently been double the average since then? Is the Minister not curious about that fact? Has he not inquired whether or not these flights are en route, armed or otherwise, for the war zone?
The Deputy will have to accept that the number of overflights did increase. I accept that, and I also accept that the conditions which apply have been met.
Will the Minister tell the House how he is satisfied? The Minister states he is satisfied and can he satisfy the House by telling us how he has this knowledge?
The Minister is stonewalling.
