asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the criteria used in deciding whether to grant authorisation to a foreign military aircraft to fly over this country under the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952; the number of occasions on which requests for authorisation were refused during the last ten years; the measures, if any, which are taken to ensure that aircraft comply with any conditions laid down; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Foreign Military Aircraft Fly-Overs.
31.
The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952 provides that foreign military aircraft may not fly over the State unless at my express invitation or with my express permission. Permission for such overflights is normally granted provided certain conditions are met. The most important of which are that the aircraft be unarmed, not carry arms, ammunition or explosives, nor engage in intelligence-gathering and that the flights in question do not form part of military exercises or operations. In the last ten years 20 requests for authorisation for foreign military aircraft to fly over the State were refused. I am satisfied, on the basis of assurances given through their Embassies by the countries concerned, that foreign military aircraft given permission to overfly the State comply with our conditions.