Joe Higgins
Question:780 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the total number of United States military related aircraft that have landed at Shannon Airport for each month in 2002 and in January 2003 to date. [1658/03]
Written Answers. - Foreign Military Aircraft.
Joe Higgins
Question:782 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the total number of United States military-related aircraft that have landed at Shannon Airport for each month in 2002 and in January 2003 to date. [1753/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 780 and 782 together.
The regulation of military flights through Irish airspace is a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Based on information provided by Aer Rianta the relevant data for civilian flights is as follows:
|
Month |
Civilian Aircraft |
|
2002 |
|
|
January |
20 |
|
February |
43 |
|
March |
73 |
|
April |
18 |
|
May |
74 |
|
June |
50 |
|
July |
30 |
|
August |
42 |
|
September |
101 |
|
October |
38 |
|
November |
38 |
|
December |
47 |
|
2003 |
|
|
January |
75 |
The January 2003 data are for the period up to and including 19 January.
Joe Higgins
Question:781 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the number of US military related aircraft which have flown over this State for each month in 2002 and January 2003 to date. [1661/03]
Joe Higgins
Question:783 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the number of United States military-related aircraft that have flown over this State for each month in 2002 and in January 2003 to date. [1754/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 781 and 783 together.
The regulation of military flights through Irish airspace is a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
My Department is responsible for civil aviation. The Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973 prohibits over-flights by aircraft carrying weapons or munitions unless an exemption is given by the Minister.
During 2002 exemptions were issued in response to a total of 30 applications for over-flights carrying weapons or munitions. Of these, three were connected with the US military, one each in January, September and October. One exemption for an over-flight carrying munitions of war or weapons has been granted so far in 2003.
Question No. 782 answered with Question No. 780.
Question No. 783 answered with Question No. 781.
Joe Higgins
Question:784 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the amount of landing fees accruing to Aer Rianta from United States military-related aircraft in each month in 2002 and in January 2003 to date. [1755/03]
The revenues accruing to Aer Rianta from the operators of all aircraft using Shannon Airport, including United States military related aircraft, is an operational matter for the company which has a statutory responsibility to operate on a fully commercial basis.
Joe Higgins
Question:785 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if any inspections were carried out in 2002 and 2003 to date to ascertain if United States military-related aircraft landing at Shannon Airport were transporting arms. [1757/03]
No inspections have been carried out.
I refer the Deputy to the press release of the Minister for Foreign Affairs dated 13 January in which the Minister stated "The United States is a friendly country and we do not seek to board US Military aircraft or aircraft carrying US Military personnel in order to verify their declared cargo".
Joe Higgins
Question:786 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if United States military-related personnel landing at Shannon Airport in 2002 and 2003 to date had their personal weapons with them on the transporting aircraft. [1758/03]
The regulation of military flights through Irish airspace is a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
As noted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in his press release dated 13 January 2003, it has been indicated that troops travelling on civilian aircraft are sometimes accompanied by their personal weapons which are carried in the hold of the aircraft. This practice requires an exemption from the Minister and no applications for exemptions for such troop movements were made in 2002. One exemption for a flight landing at Shannon carrying munitions of war was granted during 2002 – however this was for a cargo aircraft rather than a civilian passenger aircraft carrying troops.
Officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs have been in touch with the United States authorities to ensure their civilian carriers are reminded of their obligations to seek permission for the transit of weapons and munitions through Irish airports.
Officials of my Department here have also issued a similar reminder directly to the airlines concerned. Since then my Department has been receiving requests for exemption in relation to flights carrying troops accompanied by their weapons.