asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of authorised military aircraft overflights which have been permitted from 30 June to 31 October 1989; the country of origin of flights involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
40.
Written Answers. - Aircraft Overflights of State.
33.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in relation to permissions granted by him in connection with authorising the overflights of the national territory by military planes carrying nuclear weapons, whether he is prepared to refuse such overflight permissions to any aircraft carrying nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
47.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that all precautions have been taken to ensure that there are no overflights of any aircraft be they military or civilian through the Irish air space which would involve the carriage of nuclear weapons and the consequent danger through accident to this country; the steps he has taken in conjunction with the Minister for Defence to ensure that requests for such overflights from whatever military authority outside the State would be refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 40 and 47 together.
The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order provides that foreign military aircraft may not overfly the State unless at the express invitation or with the express permission of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Permission is granted on the basis that certain conditions which are drawn to the attention of the countries concerned are met. The most important of these conditions are that the aircraft be unarmed, not carry arms, ammunition or explosives and not engage in intelligence-gathering. Further, the flights in question must not form part of military exercises or operations. I am satisfied that these conditions are clearly understood and that the countries concerned are in no doubt that the carriage of nuclear weapons through our air-space is unacceptable to us.
I will place in the Dáil Library a tabular statement of overflights and landings from June to October.