Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016
1943. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of landings by US military aircraft at Baldonnel each month, from January 2015 to date in 2016; the basis upon which permission was granted for such landings; the liaison that occurred with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and if any other countries availed of this arrangement. [24611/16]
View answerCasement Aerodrome in Baldonnel is primarily used by military aircraft. I am advised by Military Authorities that the number of US military aircraft that were given permission to land at Casement Aerodrome in 2016 (to date) was 2. The number in 2015 was 5.
Permission was granted for these landings for the purpose of crew training, transporting dignitaries or high level officials participating in visits to Ireland, maintenance, air show participation and aircraft refuelling.
In accordance with the legislative requirements of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly or land in the State require the permission of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
A request is received by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from the relevant embassy of the visiting foreign aircraft. This request is then forwarded to a number of parties including the Department of Defence and the Department of Justice for their observations and confirmation if the aircraft can be facilitated for landing in Casement Aerodrome.
Other countries also availed of this arrangement in each year from 2015 to 2016 (to date) and they are contained in the tabular statement:-
|
Year |
Country |
Landings |
|
2016 (to date) |
Britain |
4 |
|
Italy |
3 |
|
|
2015 |
Britain |
4 |
|
Switzerland |
3 |
|
|
Portugal |
1 |
