Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2025
170. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the processes that were followed in the decision to allow US military Osprey jets fly over Dublin on 26 August 2023; if safety concerns about the aircraft were known; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13967/25]
View answerUnder the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military and state aircraft that wish to overfly or land in the state require diplomatic clearance from the Department of Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft are unarmed; carry no arms, ammunition or explosives; that they do not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation. I can confirm that the correct diplomatic clearance procedure was followed in full in this case.
It is the longstanding policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs not to disclose details relating to these requests, as such information is provided by Embassies in the expectation of the maintenance of confidentiality. However, I can confirm that three US military Osprey aircraft were granted diplomatic clearance to enter Irish sovereign airspace and land in Ireland in late August 2023, and that the conditions above were met in full in each case.
