Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
642. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he inadvertently or intentionally misled Dáil Éireann regarding the existence of an agreement with the Royal Air Force, RAF, and other British authorities which in certain circumstances would permit RAF operations in Irish airspace in responding to Parliamentary Question No. 34 of 12 April 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20139/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra643. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his interpretation of SI Number 74 of 1952, Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952, section 5 (details supplied) extends to operations of military aircraft within Irish airspace in the event of a terrorist attack; if so, the way he reconciles this with Article 15.6 of the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20140/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra644. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when it is proposed to bring the details of an agreement made on behalf of Ireland by civil servants from the Department of Defence, his Department and the Irish Aviation Authority with the Royal Air Force to permit military operations in Irish Airspace in certain circumstances to the attention of the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20141/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra645. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he plans to maintain the secrecy of the existence and detail of an agreement which exists between Ireland and the Royal Air Force, RAF, which would permit the RAF to carry out military operations in Irish air space in certain circumstances which was concluded without the express knowledge and approval of the director of military aviation, general officer commanding the Air Corps or the gardaí from the Houses of the Oireachtas; if so, the article in Bunreacht na hÉireann which permits the secrecy of such an agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20142/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 642 to 645, inclusive, together.
The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952, made under the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1946, gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland. Successive Ministers for Foreign Affairs have put in place strict conditions which must be satisfied before permission to overfly the territory of the State may be granted.
Thorough and robust procedures are in place in my Department with a view to ensuring that the conditions for securing permission for foreign military aircraft to overfly the State are clearly understood and properly applied. These procedures are kept under ongoing review. Comprehensive records on requests received and decisions made are retained for the purposes of monitoring and oversight, and are drawn on as needed including to provide information to this House as appropriate.
I cannot comment on any reports concerning national security matters or responses that might be taken in the event of an attack on Ireland or a serious and immediate security threat to Ireland and the Irish people.
As I previously stated in my response to question number 34 of 12 April 2017, I can confirm that no agreement has been entered into by the State to grant any permission to the RAF, or indeed the military aircraft of any other state, to shoot down planes of any type under any circumstances over Ireland.
In discharging the fundamental responsibilities of the Executive as set out in the Constitution, the Government’s engagement in international security cooperation is aimed at ensuring public safety and is conducted with full respect for Irish sovereign decision-making authority and for Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality.
