Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport would be fully aware of these arrangements as they occur from time to time. The second point I would like to make is in response to the Senator's comments about the benefits to Shannon Airport of this activity. I am casting aside for the moment the very important difference between the exercise of our military neutrality and the exercise of what can be described by the Government as political neutrality.

In that regard, let me say that in terms of our political neutrality or our politics, I accept there are members around this table with whom I will not reach agreement on this issue and I believe the Senator is one of them. We have a different concept of our relations, for example, with the United States in terms of our political engagement and our important relationship. I make no apologies for that. It is very important having regard to the special relationship which exists between our respective jurisdictions over a long number of years, indeed over centuries.

There are aspects of this relationship on which some people would have a different view. However, leaving those political considerations aside, and I am not underestimating their importance, I want to mention briefly the benefits in terms of the use of Shannon Airport. It is important that we recognise that there has been a significant downturn in the numbers of troops transiting Shannon. Nonetheless, the transit of military or civilian personnel contributes to the overall sustainability of the airport. Last year, 70,000 troops passed through Shannon. My Department has supported the efforts of the Shannon Group to increase the traffic and the revenue at the airport. However, it has been made clear that the transit of any foreign military aircraft must be, and always is, in accordance with the strictest of conditions, which I mentioned in my opening remarks. The Shannon Group employs almost 300 people and it is estimated that a further 1,600 people are employed by 40 aviation-related companies in the Shannon region. There are benefits to Shannon and the region by the transit, as mentioned by the Senator.