Claim relating to flight by British RAF surveillance aircraft over Mayo denied

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has denied a claim that a British RAF surveillance aircraft, which flew over Mayo on November 3, was 'on an intelligence gathering mission'.

The charge was made in Dáil Eireann by independent Galway TD Catherine Connolly.

She asked the minister why the craft in question was authorised to fly along the west coasts of Mayo and Donegal within Irish territorial waters on the date in question.

She asked: "When and why was approval given for this flight, given that it is likely that this aircraft was on an intelligence gathering mission, in contravention of Irish Government prohibition on such flights by foreign military aircraft?"

In response, Minister Martin stated: "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, with full respect for Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.

"The provision of diplomatic clearance to land in, or overfly, the State is subject to strict conditions, namely, 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.

"With respect to the aircraft in question, I am satisfied that the correct diplomatic clearance procedures for foreign military overflights were followed in full."