Vol. 539 No. 1
105 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to any overflights of Ireland by military aircraft carrying nuclear armaments; and the Government's policy in this regard. [18853/01]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 16 February 2000 in which I stated that under the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, foreign military aircraft require the permission of the Minister for Foreign Affairs to overfly or land in the State. Permission for overflights or landings is given 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.
Foreign governments are made aware of these legal requirements, which extend also to nuclear armaments, when they apply for permission for aircraft to overfly the State. Against this background, I can confirm that no requests have been received for overflights by aircraft carrying nuclear armaments.
