Military Aircraft Landings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 June 2018

Thursday, 21 June 2018

Ceisteanna (52)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

52. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 53 and 200 of 14 June 2018, if the Defence Forces were engaged of the monitoring of the foreign military aircraft while they were in Irish airspace in view of the fact that the plane involved in the emergency landing at Shannon Airport on 3 June 2018 was involved in refuelling US fighter aircraft either during or immediately prior to the emergency occurring (details supplied). [27158/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The Air Corps is not tasked or equipped to monitor aircraft overflying the entirety of Irish airspace.  However, the Deputy will be aware that all foreign military aircraft require the permission of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to overfly Irish airspace. In line with existing protocols, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade notified my Department of the request for a US military aircraft to make an emergency landing at Shannon Airport on 3 June.