asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport whether military aircraft of foreign powers overflying Irish territory within the Shanwick air traffic control area and using the Shanwick radio communications facilities at Ballygirreen, County Clare, pay the normal rate charges as paid by civil aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shanwick Communications Charge.
8.
The Shanwick communications charge is levied for the provision of the telecommunications services provided by the Shannon Aeradio Station, Ballygirreen, County Clare, for North Atlantic flights. No charge is levied at present on military aircraft using such services. However, the question of the exemption of military aircraft from the Shanwick communications charge is under review within my Department.
Will the Minister not demand that the Government of the countries who use Irish airspace should pay for this facility? I am sure the Minister is aware that Britain, Canada, the United States and Russia fly military aircraft in our air space. Can he inform me if such aircraft carry nuclear equipment and, if so, will he demand that they do not carry such equipment in future?
I do not think the latter part of that question has anything to do with the question before me. The whole question of civil aviation charges was decided in 1954 and all these charges covered everything up to 1980. As I said in my reply, the matter is under consideration in my Department at present and my inclination is to charge everybody who uses the service.
What is the position in regard to the second part of the question?
As soon as the Deputy puts down a question about nuclear weapons and so on, I will deal with it.