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 is fully understood by the United States and other international partners, and is conducted in compliance with Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality.
With respect to the aircraft in question, I am satisfied that the correct diplomatic clearance procedures for foreign military landings were followed in full.
As I have stated previously, no airport in Ireland, or Irish sovereign airspace, is being used to transport weapons to the conflict in the Middle East.
