Michael D. Higgins
Question:16 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of aircraft landing in Shannon with military personnel and equipment.
Written Answers. - Foreign Military Aircraft Landings.
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:54 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline in respect of the month of January 1991 (1) the number of occasions on which permission has been granted for foreign military aircraft to land in the State, (2) the nationality of each of the aircraft, (3) the type of aircraft, (4) the total number of occasions on which permission was refused, and (5) the nationality and type of each aircraft refused.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 54 together.
During the month of January 1991, there were 15 landings by foreign military aircraft in the State, 14 of which were at Shannon. Many of these were stops for re-fuelling by military aircraft carrying political leaders or other VIPs.
No request for permission to land was refused during that month.
More detailed information in tabular form showing the numbers, types and countries of origin of foreign military aircraft landing in the State during the month of January 1991 has been placed in the Library of the Dáil.
Information has been provided to the Dáil in response to questions by Deputies on landings for foreign military aircraft in Ireland monthly for a number of years up to the end of 1990. These figures relate to the State as a whole. The great majority of these landings would have taken place at Shannon. If the Deputy would like to indicate a specific period in respect of which he wishes to have figures specifically for Shannon I will try to provide them but he will appreciate that the research involved may take some time, depending on the period to be covered.