Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 April 2015
200. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he notifies the Department of Defence when a foreign military aircraft seeks permission to overfly our airspace, with particular reference to aircraft such as the EC-130H which made an emergency landing at Shannon on 28 February 2015, in view of the fact that these aircraft normally operate in secret. [13648/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra201. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade how it knows when aircraft such as the EC-130H, one of which made an emergency landing at Shannon on the 28 February 2015, is overflying our airspace, in view of the fact that they normally operate in secret and the knowledge we have of their overflight is that their transponders are turned off. [13649/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together.
The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952, made under the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1946, gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland. Permission is required for such aircraft to overfly Ireland or to land at Irish airports. Requests for permission submitted to my Department by the Embassy of the country in question are circulated to relevant Departments and agencies, including the Department of Defence.
All flights are expected to comply with navigational requirements in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation procedures. Compliance with these requirements is a matter for the aviation authorities which operate under the aegis of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
