Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 April 2026
196. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the assessment being carried out in relation to the manifests of the non-reported US military flights over Ireland (details supplied); if this has been or can be established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29636/26]
View answerFurther to my reply of to PQ 29789/26 of 28 April, under 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 subject to strict conditions 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 fully understood by the United States and other international partners.
