Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 December 2015
17. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the escalation of conflict and military action in Syria, if he will now reconsider allowing the use of Shannon Airport by the United States military; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41200/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraPermission may be granted to foreign military aircraft, including US military aircraft, to land at Irish airports on the strict condition that they must be unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives and must not engage in intelligence gathering, and that the flights in question must not form part of military exercises or operations. Successive Governments have made landing facilities available at Shannon Airport to the United States, in line with these strict conditions, for well over 50 years. These arrangements have never been suspended and I do not consider that it would be appropriate to do so now.
