asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the explanation the British authorities gave regarding the incursion of a British spy plane over Mullingar, County Westmeath; if he is satisfied with the explanation; if he intends to take further action; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - British Plane Incursion.
73.
On 30 December 1987 an explanation was sought from the British authorities for the presence of a military aircraft in our airspace early that morning. The following day the British authorities admitted the incursion, apologised for it and attributed it to the fact that this was the pilot's first flying mission in Northern Ireland.
The Government have since conveyed to the British Government, the very serious view they take of this incursion and have requested assurances that it will not recur. In response, the Government have been informed by the British Government that those involved have been reprimanded severely and that everything has been done to ensure that such an incident will not happen again.