Finian McGrath
Question:141 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland's neutrality status has changed recently; and if further changes are anticipated in the future. [29401/03]
Written Answers. - Military Neutrality.
I can confirm to the Deputy that Ireland continues to adhere to its traditional policy of military neutrality. Changes to this policy are not anticipated.
Finian McGrath
Question:142 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if 1,246 US military flights have come through Shannon Airport since January 2003; and the Government's foreign policy on Iraq and transportation of class A explosives from the US through Ireland. [29402/03]
Records show that there were 256 landings of foreign military aircraft in Ireland at Shannon airport from 1 January 2003 to 1 December 2003. Foreign military aircraft are normally only allowed to land in Ireland if they are unarmed and do not carry arms, ammunition or explosives. During the period to 1 January 2003 to 29 November 2003, there were 1,321 landings of commercial aircraft in the service of the US military.
Of these, 579 sought exemption from the provisions of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973. This order regulates the carriage of weapons and explosives by civilian aircraft through Irish airspace and falls within the overall responsibility of the Minister for Transport.
Finian McGrath
Question:143 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the attention of the Government was drawn to the fact that US troops carried their personal weapons with them on the planes at Shannon Airport. [29403/03]
Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, as amended in 1989, permission to carry weapons on board commercial aircraft must be obtained in advance from the Department of Transport, which consults the Department of Foreign Affairs before making a decision. The Government is satisfied that all aircraft in the employ of the US defence authorities are complying with national stipulations in this regard.