Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2026
43. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will end the arrangement that allows US military overflights without prior notification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50246/26]
View answerThe specific arrangement for the US which the Deputy refers to was established in 1959, where overflights of US military aircraft are permitted without prior notification, on the basis that the aircraft are unarmed, carry only cargo and passengers and comply with navigational requirements. The US Embassy provides my Department with post hoc monthly returns on the total number of these overflights and the types of aircraft involved.
If a proposed military overflight does not meet these criteria, advance permission must be sought. The standard conditions would then apply, and these do not permit carrying arms, ammunition or explosives, or engaging in intelligence gathering of forming part of military exercises of operations.
This policy is well known and is fully understood by the United States.
