New statistics provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs show that last year it permitted 3,691 military aircraft to over-fly Ireland. Gordon Deegan reports.
This represents a 50 per cent increase on the 2002 figure of 2,460, which in turn was a 40 per cent increase on the 2001 figure of 1,766.
Opponents of the US-led war against Iraq have seized on the figures as yet further proof that the Taoiseach was not sincere when he said that he was against the war.
Separate figures provided by the Department of Transport show that last year the Government permitted 612 civilian aircraft containing munitions to land at Shannon Airport.
The vast majority of munitions are understood to be the personal arms of US troops passing through Shannon.
The Department also acknowledged that last year it gave clearance to a further 270 civilian aircraft carrying munitions to over-fly Irish airspace.
The figure of 882 exemptions granted is in stark contrast to 2002 when the Government allowed just one civilian aircraft land at Shannon with arms, while clearances were given to just 30 civilian aircraft with arms to over-fly Irish airspace.
After protests at the volume of military traffic passing through Shannon en route to the Gulf last January, the Department of Transport wrote to the US government reminding it of its obligations under the Air Navigation Order 1973 to seek permission if the planes are carrying weapons.
Earlier this week Aer Rianta confirmed that 125,855 US troops passed through Shannon Airport last year.
This earnedan estimated €15 million for Aer Rianta.