Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
466. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will ensure that Shannon Airport will not be used for current and future military interventions by foreign interests in view of the United States' recent announcement to expand military intervention in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37572/17]
View answerThe Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952, made under the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1946, gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland.
Successive Governments have made landing facilities available at Shannon Airport to the United States for well over 50 years. These arrangements are governed by strict conditions, including that the aircraft must be unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives, that they do not engage in intelligence gathering and that the flights concerned do not form part of military exercises or operations.
These conditions apply equally to military aircraft from all countries seeking to land in Shannon. The US, as with all other states, is required to provide my Department with confirmation in writing that the aircraft proposing to land in Shannon complies with the strict conditions set out above.
Arrangements for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft are kept under ongoing review. In line with this, my Department ensures that detailed and robust procedures are in place to ensure that all relevant parties are fully aware of the requirements relating to applications for permission for foreign military aircraft to overfly or land in the State.
