Paul Murphy
Question:74. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will end the use of Shannon Airport by the US military; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50247/26]
View answerThursday, 2 July 2026
Questions (74)
Written answers
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 of 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 of diplomatic clearance is well known and is fully understood by the United States and other international partners.
Successive governments have made landing facilities available at a number of Irish airports to the United States and other foreign militaries for well over 50 years. Arrangements for foreign military aircraft to land in Irish airports are governed by strict conditions, as I have outlined. These conditions are applicable to foreign military aircraft from all other countries seeking to land in Ireland or overfly Irish airspace.
The permission given by Ireland to foreign military or state aircraft to overfly or land in the State is in full compliance with Ireland’s policy of military neutrality, which is characterised by non-membership of military alliances and non-participation in common or mutual defence arrangements. As the Government has stated on numerous occasions, there are no plans to alter this policy.