May 8, 2023
Matt Carthy TD seeks clarity from Dept of Defence on ‘Secret British Air defence agreement’

Responding to today’s report that the Irish government has had a secret arrangement that provided for the British RAF to operate within Irish airspace, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Matt Carthy TD, said that such a deal would serve to further expose the abysmal failure of successive governments to adequate invest in our Defence Forces.

Teachta Carthy said:

“The report of a secret arrangement that provided for the British RAF to operate within Irish airspace simply further exposes the abysmal failure of successive Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil governments to invest in our Defence Forces and to ensure that, as an independent, neutral state, we can monitor and defend our airspace and our seas. 

“I have sought a briefing from the Department of Defence on this matter, so as to clarify the legal and Constitutional matters that have arisen from today’s report.  

“However, I would also urge the Tánaiste to make a public statement on the matter as a matter of urgency.  This is a matter of considerable public interest and full disclosure of any arrangements with foreign governments in respect of Irish Defence capacity is required.”

Follow us online

Latest Tweets

Share Your Story – Accessible Education for all.

Is your child at risk of missing out on a school place this year, or has this already impacted your family?

Next week in the Dáil, Sinn Féin will introduce a motion demanding educational equality!

#AccessibleEducation4all

Waiting times will not improve without a real plan for hospital overcrowding – @davidcullinane

"The Minister for Health must outline an immediate response to emergency department overcrowding."

Simon Harris’ innocent bystander routine on public waste fools nobody - @Farrell_Mairead

"The Tánaiste is apparently very cross about this. Just like he was cross on all those other occasions."

Load More

Statements