Military Aircraft

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023

Tuesday, 7 November 2023

Questions (229)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

229. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 185 of 24 October 2023, whether any steps were taken to establish if an aircraft (details supplied) was transporting US soldiers and/or weapons or munitions while travelling from the USA to the Persian Gulf, as this aircraft was on contract to the US military using US Transportation Command call sign CMB504 and was likely to be on a mission to support the Israeli attacks on Gaza, and on its return journey to the USA it landed at US Naval Air Station Jacksonville; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47696/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The airline that the Deputy refers to has applied for, and been granted, exemptions to carry munitions in Irish sovereign airspace in the past. It has engaged with officials in my Department in this regard so it is fully aware of the obligations on air carriers under the 1973 and 1989 Orders. The airline has also carried out aircraft operations that transit Ireland, including technical stops and overflights, where it has not carried munitions of war and therefore did not require an exemption. I would point out that the Orders relate to the carriage of “munitions of war” and do not impose any requirement on aircraft operators regarding the transportation of military personnel.

Given previous engagement with the airline and its awareness of the requirements of Irish law regarding the carriage of munitions of war on board aircraft in Irish sovereign airspace, it was not deemed necessary to follow-up on any particular flight that an exemption had not been sought for.