Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Bill 2026: Second Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-10
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Lorraine Clifford-Lee (FF), Nominated by the Taoiseach

Fianna Fáil opposes this Bill at Second Stage. Ireland has a well-established procedure in place for the diplomatic clearance of the overflight and landing of state aircraft. This diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions with full respect to Ireland's policy of military neutrality. These conditions include that the aircraft must be unarmed and carry no arms, ammunition or explosives. The aircraft must not engage in intelligence gathering and the flight in question must not form part of military exercises or operations. These requirements are well understood by all parties and our partners, including the United States.
The Bill is very far reaching. There is an extensive suite of aviation law which could potentially be impacted, but it has not been appropriately considered. The Minister of State outlined the Government position very carefully. I listened to all speakers so far very carefully. I understand the sentiment and place this is coming from. I sympathise with the position but I heard a lot of hyperbole from the proposer and seconder. The allegations of the contravention of law and the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft began in August 2024 following some media reports. The Department of Transport has begun examining these allegations in detail. I believe a report to the Minister for Transport will be prepared and presented once these allegations have been examined. We should wait to see that. I know the Minister will very much protect our neutral status as a country. This position that the Government is taking is right and appropriate.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-06-10/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:02+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-10