Vol. 514 No. 5
80 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the arrangements which have been in place (details supplied) allowing US air force jets based in Europe to use Baldonnel for training exercises; the length of time these arrangements have been in place; the other forms of military co-operation Ireland has with the United States; and his views on whether this co-operation conflicts with the policy of neutrality. [4486/00]
Under the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952, foreign military aircraft, including US Air Forces aircraft, require the permission of the Minister for Foreign Affairs to overfly or land in Ireland. Permission for overflights or landings is given, with inputs from my Department where applicable, on condition that the aircraft in question are unarmed, carry no ammunition, do not engage in intelligence gathering and are not involved in military exercises. When Casement Aerodrome is used by foreign military aircraft it is solely for air crew navigational procedural training and there are no military exercises involved.
