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Pringle calls for Dáil debate on reports of flights carrying weapons to Israel across Irish airspace
- Updated: 19th September 2024
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has called for a Dáil debate on reports of flights carrying weapons to Israel through Irish airspace, as he slammed government inaction.
Addressing the Dáil on Wednesday, Deputy Pringle said: “On behalf of the Independent Group, I support those calls for a debate on the use of Irish airspace by the Israelis. It seems that the Government is operating on the basis that if it does not ask it will not get an answer, and that is the best way to do it. We need to address that, and we need to address that very quickly.”
Speaking today, Deputy Pringle said: “For the past month, The Ditch has reported on a number of flights that have flown through Irish airspace carrying weapons for Israel.
“The Taoiseach, Simon Harris, told the Dáil yesterday that in 2023 and to date in 2024, no applications have been received or exemptions granted for the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft to a point in Israel. Under Irish law, it is prohibited for civil aircraft to carry munitions of war in Irish sovereign territory without being granted an exemption by the Minister for Transport.
“However, The Ditch reports tell us that eight different flights carrying munitions from the United States to Israel passed through Irish airspace, from October of last year until March of this year. Today, The Ditch reported that Shannon Airport was used last November to transport weapons of war from Israel to the United States.
“The Irish people and the world are watching in horror as Israel commits genocide against the Palestinian people, and still this government is showing no real sense of urgency in determining whether our sovereign airspace is being used to facilitate this genocide.
“We are a neutral country. How many more flights carrying weapons to Israel need to pass through Irish airspace before this government takes action? This cannot be allowed to continue.
“We need answers and we need action,” he said.
