57. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she plans to cease the use of Shannon Airport by the US military; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61986/26]

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 states. 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.