Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 December 2012
27. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will clarify his statement regarding Shannon Airport when he welcomed enormous possibilities for additional military flights; the kind of military flights he was referring; his views on the use of Irish airspace by foreign military forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57241/12]
View answerThe Deputy’s question relates to comments by Minister Varadkar regarding flights related to the on-going transiting of military personnel through Shannon airport. While they are often described as military flights, they are in fact civilian flights as they are civilian charter aircraft. Because they carry military personnel and equipment, the flights are subject to the provisions of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, as amended, which is administered by my Department.
Where opportunities are presented that would create the conditions for an expansion of such flights, the Government will in principle support such developments.
With regard to the use of Irish airspace by foreign military aircraft, this is a matter for my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and it is governed by the provisions of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952. Foreign military aircraft seeking to fly over or land in the State can only do so with the permission of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
