In accordance with the provisions of section 317 of the Defence Act, 1954, express permission was granted on 13 January 2003 to the US authorities for their military personnel to wear uniforms in the transit areas of Irish airports. It was stipulated that any requests to wear uniform outside the transit area would require further permission.
On five subsequent occasions, foreign military personnel have been granted permission to wear uniform outside the transit areas of Irish airports. Three requests related to US troops who, due to unforeseen circumstances, had to leave the transit area of the airport in uniform. Two other requests related to foreign military personnel, from countries other than the US, who were participating in courses in Ireland.