Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 November 2005
44 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if planes (details supplied) entered Irish air space in the period since January 2003; the landings, departure and destination of each of the planes in each case; the information available to him as to the purpose of each of the landings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35807/05]
View answerIn general, in accordance with international aviation law, overflights or non-traffic stops by an aircraft of an ICAO state, engaged in non-scheduled or private services may operate without prior permission from my Department. My Department would not normally have any information about them.
However, arising from previous parliamentary questions and inquiries about the possible carriage of prisoners, my Department is aware that aircraft with the registration numbers N379P, N8068V, N313P and N4476S have made technical stops at Shannon on a number of occasions in 2003 and 2004. The information about dates and routings is commercially sensitive and could not be released without the approval of the operators.
I understand that the US authorities have confirmed to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the US has not used Irish airports for the transit of prisoners. I also understand that the US authorities have confirmed that they would not transit Irish airspace or use Irish airports for this purpose without seeking the authorisation of the Irish authorities.
