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Military Aircraft

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020

Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Questions (28, 29)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

28. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 4 of 5 March 2020, if such permission would be granted if a similar request was received from the Russian or Chinese air force (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4607/20]

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Catherine Connolly

Question:

29. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason a German Navy aircraft (details supplied) was at Baldonnel Aerodrome on 20 February 2020; if it was in connection with the large NATO exercise Defender 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4608/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together.

It is not the practice to divulge information in relation to the specific purposes of individual landings.

In the majority of cases, military aircraft using the landing facilities in Ireland do so for the purposes of refuelling and to allow for crew and passenger rest. In a small number of cases, such aircraft land to allow for the transport of dignitaries or other persons participating in visits to Ireland, for flight crew training, and for aircraft maintenance purposes.

In relation to the specific landing to which the Deputy has referred, I can confirm that the requesting Embassy confirmed in advance of the landing that the aircraft met the conditions applied to all foreign military aircraft requesting permission to land at Irish airports.

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