Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
144. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the powers he has to determine the permissions which are given to any aircraft to fly through Irish airspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72719/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe right or permission for air operators to operate in and through Irish sovereign airspace is largely governed by a range of agreements and conventions to which the State has decided to become party to.
The Convention on International Civil Aviation 1944 (Chicago Convention) confers the right for non-scheduled flights to both overfly and make stops for technical purposes in the territories of its contracting parties. 193 States are party to the Chicago Convention.
The International Air Services Transit Agreement 1944 affords these same rights to scheduled flights, approximately 135 States are party to this Agreement.
Within the EU, the air operators of Member States are provided the freedom to operate air services within the territory of the union in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008.
Beyond the EU, the movement of commercial traffic, passengers and cargo by air, is managed through a framework of bilateral or multilateral agreements that the State is party to. These agreements grant rights to operate commercial air transport between the contracting parties. Privately operated and general aviation flights are not within scope of any of the aforementioned agreements and do not require permission to enter Irish airspace.
The exception to the above rights occurs when civil aircraft intend to carry munitions of war. Under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989. the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft in Irish sovereign territory or on Irish-registered civil aircraft wherever they may be operating is prohibited, unless an exemption to do so is granted by the Minister for Transport.
The operation of foreign military aircraft in Irish sovereign territory is a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
