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Military Air Craft.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 April 2004

Tuesday, 6 April 2004

Questions (127)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

212 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if US Special Forces were aboard flights landing in Shannon Airport on 27 and 28 March 2004; the steps he has taken to verify that there were no arms on board the US Marine Corps C-130 Hercules that landed at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, on 29-30 March 2004; the content of the cargo reportedly removed from the aircraft; and the steps he has taken in response to the flying of the “jolly Roger” flag by this foreign military aircraft. [10914/04]

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Written answers

The Deputy is aware that the use of Shannon Airport by the US military is a long-standing practice which has been in place for a number of decades.

In this regard, the carriage of US troops by civilian aircraft carriers takes place in accordance with the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, as amended in 1989, for which the Minister for Transport has responsibility. This legislation is concerned specifically with the carriage of munitions of war and weapons and allows the Minister for Transport to issue exemptions for the carriage of such goods. There is no requirement for the identification of any specific military unit being transported.

Permission for foreign military aircraft to land is a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs, must take place in accordance with the provisions of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952, and is normally granted on conditions including that the aircraft be unarmed and not carrying arms, ammunition and explosives. Records show that the landing of the C-130 at Baldonnel military aerodrome in late March took place in conformity with these criteria.

The flying of the "jolly Roger", which is an informal flag with no particular status, was queried with the US Embassy. The embassy confirmed that the hoisting of unauthorised flags on US military aircraft is not permitted. Any further action would be a matter for the US authorities.

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