A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman has denied a report that the Government has refused the United States permission to use Irish airspace in the event of a war against Iraq.
Mr Dermot Brangan said today's report in the Examinerwas speculation and the Government's position was it fully supported the UN's resolution to resolve the situation through diplomatic means.
He said any military aircraft over-flying Irish airspace or landing to refuel required permission to do so, providing it was not carrying weaponry or photographic equipment.
However, Mr Brangan said the Minister could grant permission in "exceptional circumstances" as happened during the Gulf War under a UN resolution obliging Ireland to accommodate armed military aircraft if requested. However, he said the US showed little interest in using Ireland as a stopover point at that time.
Under the Air Navigation Foreign Military Aircraft Act of 1952, all foreign military aircraft require the permission of the Minister for Foreign Affairs to overfly or land in the State.
Between September 2001 and June of this year there were 1,801 overflights and 489 landings involving military aircraft in Ireland.
Mr Brangan said the Government would continue to assess and monitor the situation in relation to Iraq and stood behind the UN’s efforts to resolve matters diplomatically.