Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2026
133. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will end the use of Shannon Airport by US military aircraft in light of its illegal war of aggression against Iran; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21343/26]
View answerUnder the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Diplomatic clearance is only provided where the conditions set out by my Department are fully met, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation. This policy is well known and is fully understood by international partners.
The permission given by Ireland to foreign military or state aircraft to overfly or land in the State is fully compatible with our policy of military neutrality, which, as practised by successive Governments, means that Ireland does not participate in military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements. As the Government has stated on numerous occasions, there are no plans to alter this policy.
