Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2013
562. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procedure of notification that is required to be given to Ireland when aircraft enter and pass through Irish airspace carrying Heads of State or Heads of Government from other nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33181/13]
View answerIf the Head of State or Government from another nation enters or passes through Irish airspace on military or State aircraft, it is a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In the case of civilian aircraft it is a matter for my Department.
For such carriage on board civilian aircraft engaged in fuel/technical stops or over-flights, no permission is required aside from technical notifications such as for air traffic control. Under the provisions of the Chicago Convention on International Aviation, non-scheduled flights, i.e. non-regular, non-commercial flights, non-traffic stops can be made into or across Irish territory without any requirement for prior permission. If the Head of State or Government is visiting Ireland and is travelling on a non-EU commercial/civilian flight the airline involved may have to apply for an authorisation for traffic rights to my Department. For such carriage on board military or State aircraft, the provisions of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 apply. In this context, permission must be obtained from the Minister for Foreign Affairs for the overflight/landing.
