Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 3

Written Answers - National Airspace.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

126 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the country afforded the privilege of civilian chartered aircraft carrying foreign military personnel overflying Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel in each case since the facility opened; the facility used; the dates on which; the purpose; the number of personnel on board; the number and type of armaments on board; the duration of stay, if applicable; if overflight charges were levied; if not, the cost to the Exchequer; the number and rank of Irish military personnel involved if related to a training exercise; if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or some other military configuration; if notice of the overflight was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of an invitation by the Government or was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and was aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the flight manifest was inspected in advance by Irish authorities for breaches of the Defence Acts or Air Navigation and Transport Acts or other applicable Acts or Orders; if civil aviation authorities' attention was drawn to the overflight before, during or after it took place; the path approaching and leaving Irish airspace; and the departure base and destination base. [9392/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

127 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs for each case of foreign military aircraft overflight of Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel since the facility opened, the following information: the country afforded the privilege; the specific date/s on which; the specific purpose; the number of personnel on board; the number and type of armaments on board; the duration of stay, if applicable; if overflight charges were levied, and, if not, the cost to the Exchequer; if it related to a training exercise; the number and rank of Irish military personnel that were involved, and if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force, or some other military configuration; if notice of the overflight was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of invitation by the Government, or whether it was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and aware in advance; if prior Ministerial authorisation was given; if the flight manifest was inspected in advance by Irish authorities for breaches of the Defence Acts or Air Navigation and Transport Act, or other applicable Acts or Orders; if civil aviation authorities were made aware of the overflight before, during, or after it took place; the path approaching and leaving Irish airspace; and the departure base and destination base. [9396/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

135 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the country afforded the privilege of civilian chartered aircraft carrying foreign military personnel landing at Dublin Airport in each case since the facility opened; the facility used; the dates on which; the purpose; the number of personnel on board; the number and type of armaments on board; the duration of stay; if landing charges were levied; if not, the cost to the Exchequer; the number and rank of Irish military personnel involved if related to a training exercise; if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or some other military configuration; if notice of the landing was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of an invitation by the Government or was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and was aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the aircraft was inspected by Irish authorities for breaches of the Defence Acts or Air Navigation and Transport Acts or other applicable Acts or Orders; if civil aviation authorities' attention was drawn to the landing before, during or after it took place; the path approaching and leaving Irish airspace; and the departure base and destination base. [9372/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

136 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the country afforded the privilege of civilian chartered aircraft carrying foreign military personnel overflying Knock Airport in each case since the facility opened; the facility used; the dates on which; the purpose; the number of personnel on board; the number and type of armaments on board; the duration of stay, if applicable; if overflight charges were levied; if not, the cost to the Exchequer; the number and rank of Irish military personnel involved if related to a training exercise; if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or some other military configuration; if notice of the overflight was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of an invitation by the Government or was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and was aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the flight manifest was inspected in advance by Irish authorities for breaches of the Defence Acts or Air Navigation and Transport Acts or other applicable Acts or Orders; if civil aviation authorities' attention was drawn to the overflight before, during or after it took place; the path approaching and leaving Irish airspace; and the departure base and destination base. [9373/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

137 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide for each case of civilian aircraft carrying foreign military personnel landing at Knock Airport since the facility opened, the following information: the country afforded the privilege: the specific date/s on which; the specific purpose; the number of personnel on board; the number and type of armaments on board; the duration of stay, if applicable; if overflight charges were levied, and, if not, the cost to the Exchequer; if it related to a training exercise; the number and rank of Irish military personnel that were involved, and if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force, or some other military configuration; if notice of the overflight was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of invitation by the Government, or whether it was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the flight manifest was inspected in advance by Irish authorities for breaches of the Defence Acts or Air Navigation and Transport Act, or other applicable Acts or Orders; if civil aviation authorities were made aware of the overflight before, during, or after it took place; the path approaching and leaving Irish airspace; and the departure base and destination base. [9374/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

138 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the country afforded the privilege of military aircraft landing at Cork Airport in each case since the facility opened; the facility used; the dates on which; the purpose; the number of personnel on board; the number and type of armaments on board; the duration of stay; if landing charges were levied; if not, the cost to the Exchequer; the number and rank of Irish military personnel involved if related to a training exercise; if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or some other military configuration; if notice of the landing was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of an invitation by the Government or was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and was aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the aircraft was inspected by Irish authorities for breaches of the Defence Acts or Air Navigation and Transport Acts or other applicable Acts or Orders; if civil aviation authorities' attention was drawn to the landing before, during or after it took place; the path approaching and leaving Irish airspace; and the departure base and destination base. [9375/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

139 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the country afforded the privilege of civilian chartered aircraft carrying foreign military personnel landing at Shannon Airport in each case since the facility opened; the facility used; the dates on which; the purpose; the number of personnel on board; the number and type of armaments on board; the duration of stay; if landing charges were levied; if not, the cost to the Exchequer; the number and rank of Irish military personnel involved if related to a training exercise; if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or some other military configuration; if notice of the landing was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of an invitation by the Government or was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and was aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the aircraft was inspected by Irish authorities for breaches of the Defence Acts or Air Navigation and Transport Acts or other applicable Acts or Orders; if civil aviation authorities' attention was drawn to the landing before, during or after it took place; the path approaching and leaving Irish airspace; and the departure base and destination base. [9376/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

140 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the country afforded the privilege of civilian chartered aircraft carrying foreign military personnel landing at Cork Airport in each case since the facility opened; the facility used; the dates on which; the purpose; the number of personnel on board; the number and type of armaments on board; the duration of stay; if landing charges were levied; if not, the cost to the Exchequer; the number and rank of Irish military personnel involved if related to a training exercise; if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or some other military configuration; if notice of the landing was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of an invitation by the Government or was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and was aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the aircraft was inspected by Irish authorities for breaches of the Defence Acts or Air Navigation and Transport Acts or other applicable Acts or Orders; if civil aviation authorities' attention was drawn to the landing before, during or after it took place; the path approaching and leaving Irish airspace; and the departure base and destination base. [9377/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

141 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the country afforded the privilege of military aircraft landing at Shannon Airport in each case since the facility opened; the facility used; the dates on which; the purpose; the number of personnel on board; the number and type of armaments on board; the duration of stay; if landing charges were levied; if not, the cost to the Exchequer; the number and rank of Irish military personnel involved if related to a training exercise; if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or some other military configur ation; if notice of the landing was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of an invitation by the Government or was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and was aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the aircraft was inspected by Irish authorities for breaches of the Defence Acts or Air Navigation and Transport Acts or other applicable Acts or Orders; if civil aviation authorities' attention was drawn to the landing before, during or after it took place; the path approaching and leaving Irish airspace; and the departure base and destination base. [9378/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

142 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the country afforded the privilege of military aircraft landing at Knock Airport in each case since the facility opened; the facility used; the dates on which; the purpose; the number of personnel on board; the number and type of armaments on board; the duration of stay; if landing charges were levied; if not, the cost to the Exchequer; the number and rank of Irish military personnel involved if related to a training exercise; if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or some other military configuration; if notice of the landing was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of an invitation by the Government or was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and was aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the aircraft was inspected by Irish authorities for breaches of the Defence Acts or Air Navigation and Transport Acts or other applicable Acts or Orders; if civil aviation authorities' attention was drawn to the landing before, during or after it took place; the path approaching and leaving Irish airspace; and the departure base and destination base. [9379/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

143 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the country afforded the privilege of military aircraft landing at Dublin Airport in each case since the facility opened; the facility used; the dates on which; the purpose; the number of personnel on board; the number and type of armaments on board; the duration of stay; if landing charges were levied; if not, the cost to the Exchequer; the number and rank of Irish military personnel involved if related to a training exercise; if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or some other military configuration; if notice of the landing was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of an invitation by the Government or was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and was aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the aircraft was inspected by Irish authorities for breaches of the Defence Acts or Air Navigation and Transport Acts or other applicable Acts or Orders; if civil aviation authorities' attention was drawn to the landing before, during or after it took place; the path approaching and leaving Irish airspace; and the departure base and destination base. [9380/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

144 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the country afforded the privilege of civilian chartered aircraft carrying foreign military personnel overflying Shannon Airport in each case since the facility opened; the facility used; the dates on which; the purpose; the number of personnel on board; the number and type of armaments on board; the duration of stay, if applicable; if overflight charges were levied; if not, the cost to the Exchequer; the number and rank of Irish military personnel involved if related to a training exercise; if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or some other military configuration; if notice of the overflight was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of an invitation by the Government or was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and was aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the flight manifest was inspected in advance by Irish authorities for breaches of the Defence Acts or Air Navigation and Transport Acts or other applicable Acts or Orders; if civil aviation authorities' attention was drawn to the overflight before, during or after it took place; the path approaching and leaving Irish airspace; and the departure base and destination base. [9381/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

145 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the country afforded the privilege of civilian chartered aircraft carrying foreign military personnel overflying Cork Airport in each case since the facility opened; the facility used; the dates on which; the purpose; the number of personnel on board; the number and type of armaments on board; the duration of stay, if applicable; if overflight charges were levied; if not, the cost to the Exchequer; the number and rank of Irish military personnel involved if related to a training exercise; if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or some other military configuration; if notice of the overflight was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of an invitation by the Government or was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and was aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the flight manifest was inspected in advance by Irish authorities for breaches of the Defence Acts or Air Navigation and Transport Acts or other applicable Acts or Orders; if civil aviation authorities' attention was drawn to the overflight before, during or after it took place; the path approaching and leaving Irish airspace; and the departure base and destination base. [9382/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

146 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the country afforded the privilege of military aircraft overflight of Shannon Airport in each case since the facility opened; the facility used; the dates on which; the purpose; the number of personnel on board; the number and type of armaments on board; the duration of stay, if applicable; if overflight charges were levied; if not, the cost to the Exchequer; the number and rank of Irish military personnel involved if related to a training exercise; if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or some other military configuration; if notice of the overflight was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of an invitation by the Government or was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and was aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the flight manifest was inspected in advance by Irish authorities for breaches of the Defence Acts or Air Navigation and Transport Acts or other applicable Acts or Orders; if civil aviation authorities' attention was drawn to the overflight before, during or after it took place; the path approaching and leaving Irish airspace; and the departure base and destination base. [9383/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

147 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the country afforded the privilege of military aircraft overflight of Cork Airport in each case since the facility opened; the facility used; the dates on which; the purpose; the number of personnel on board; the number and type of armaments on board; the duration of stay, if applicable; if overflight charges were levied; if not, the cost to the Exchequer; the number and rank of Irish military personnel involved if related to a training exercise; if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or some other military configuration; if notice of the overflight was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of an invitation by the Government or was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and was aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the flight manifest was inspected in advance by Irish authorities for breaches of the Defence Acts or Air Navigation and Transport Acts or other applicable Acts or Orders; if civil aviation authorities' attention was drawn to the overflight before, during or after it took place; the path approaching and leaving Irish airspace; and the departure base and destination base. [9384/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

148 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the country afforded the privilege of military aircraft overflight of Dublin Airport in each case since the facility opened; the facility used; the dates on which; the purpose; the number of personnel on board; the number and type of armaments on board; the duration of stay, if applicable; if overflight charges were levied; if not, the cost to the Exchequer; the number and rank of Irish military personnel involved if related to a training exercise; if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or some other military configuration; if notice of the overflight was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of an invitation by the Government or was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and was aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the flight manifest was inspected in advance by Irish authorities for breaches of the Defence Acts or Air Navigation and Transport Acts or other applicable Acts or Orders; if civil aviation authorities' attention was drawn to the overflight before, during or after it took place; the path approaching and leaving Irish airspace; and the departure base and destination base. [9385/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

149 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the country afforded the privilege of military aircraft overflight of Knock Airport in each case since the facility opened; the facility used; the dates on which; the purpose; the number of personnel on board; the number and type of armaments on board; the duration of stay, if applicable; if overflight charges were levied; if not, the cost to the Exchequer; the number and rank of Irish military personnel involved if related to a training exercise; if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or some other military configuration; if notice of the overflight was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of an invitation by the Government or was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and was aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the flight manifest was inspected in advance by Irish authorities for breaches of the Defence Acts or Air Navigation and Transport Acts or other applicable Acts or Orders; if civil aviation authorities' attention was drawn to the overflight before, during or after it took place; the path approaching and leaving Irish airspace; and the departure base and destination base. [9386/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 and Nos. 135 to 149, inclusive, together.

The specific information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in the format requested and could only be obtained through the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Departmental time and public resources.

Regarding general procedures for handling of requests relating to overflights or landings by military aircraft and to those by civilian chartered aircraft carrying foreign military personnel, I would refer the Deputy to my comprehensive statement on these matters as made to Dáil Éireann on 29 January 2003.

I can confirm that no overflights or landings by military aircraft or by civilian chartered aircraft carrying foreign military personnel have related to exercises under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or any other military configuration.

The matter of charges for overflights and landings by civilian chartered aircraft and military aircraft fall within the remit of the Minister for Transport, Aer Rianta and the Irish Aviation Authority.