Vol. 405 No. 2
52 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 fly over 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.
There were 876 overflights of the State by foreign military aircraft in January 1991. Details in tabular form showing the numbers, types and countries of origin of these aircraft have been placed in the Library of the Dáil. No request for a foreign aircraft to overfly the State was refused in that period.
53 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any request has been received from the United States authorities for permission for B-52 bombers to fly over the State; if any such permission has been granted and the number of occasions and aircraft in each case; if no request has been received if he will outline the Government's policy in regard to any such possible request; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
55 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will agree to halt the provision of facilities for US forces in this country, including overflights and refuelling of war planes, other than those of humanitarian needs such as the provision of medical aid and hospital beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
56 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether permission was granted for overflight facilities for the American B-52 bombers bound for British bases; and, if so, whether he will now review this decision because of the blanket bombing of both military and civilian targets.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 55 and 56 together.
No specific request for overflights by B-52 aircraft has been received. During the month of January, there were 749 overflights by US military aircraft. None of these was a B-52. Comparable information for February to date is not yet available.
The Taoiseach and I have already set out in the Dáil on 18 January the approach of the Government to requests for facilities in relation to the current military action to secure implementation of Security Council resolutions.
