Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 November 2016
43. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will publish the records maintained by the Air Corps on the numbers, country of origin and types of foreign military aircraft that were given permission to land at Casement Aerodrome from 2010 to date in 2016; and the reason for these permissions. [33812/16]
View answerI am advised by the Military Authorities that the number of foreign military aircraft that landed at Casement Aerodrome in the period from January 2010 to date is set out in the following tabular statement:
|
Year |
Country of Origin |
Number |
|
2010 |
France |
11 |
|
|
Poland |
4 |
|
|
UK |
2 |
|
|
USA |
7 |
|
Year |
Country of Origin |
Number |
|
2011 |
Belgium |
1 |
|
|
Italy |
1 |
|
|
Monaco |
2 |
|
|
UK |
6 |
|
|
USA |
21 |
|
Year |
Country of Origin |
Number |
|
2012 |
Germany |
1 |
|
|
Netherlands |
2 |
|
|
Poland |
1 |
|
|
UK |
2 |
|
|
USA |
31 |
|
Year |
Country of Origin |
Number |
|
2013 |
Belgium |
1 |
|
|
Iceland |
1 |
|
|
Poland |
6 |
|
|
UK |
4 |
|
|
USA |
18 |
|
Year |
Country of Origin |
Number |
|
2014 |
UK |
3 |
|
|
USA |
4 |
|
Year |
Country of Origin |
Number |
|
2015 |
Portugal |
1 |
|
|
Switzerland |
9 |
|
|
UK |
4 |
|
|
USA |
4 |
|
Year |
Country of Origin |
Number |
|
2016 (to date) |
Italy |
17 |
|
|
Sweden |
6 |
|
|
UK |
14 |
|
|
USA |
2 |
It may be noted that the Military Authorities have advised that the above figures reflect the up-to-date position having re-examined the aircraft landing records. It should also be noted that these figures reflect the number of foreign military aircraft that landed at Casement Aerodrome rather than the number of permissions granted.
The reasons permission was granted for these landings include crew training, aircraft refuelling, maintenance, transporting dignitaries or high level officials participating in visits to Ireland and air show participation.
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/overflying foreign aircraft. This request is then forwarded to a number of parties including the Department of Defence and the Department of Justice and Equality for observations and confirmation that the aircraft can be facilitated for landing at Casement Aerodrome.
