Call for clarity on existence of Ireland-UK airspace deal

Detailed summary

Independent Senator Michael McDowell has called for clarity on whether Ireland has an agreement with the UK to defend its airspace, saying the public is entitled to know what…

Independent Senator Michael McDowell has called for clarity on whether Ireland has an agreement with the UK to defend its airspace, saying the public is entitled to know what arrangements are in place.

The former justice minister told RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday with Cormac Ó hEadhra that Ireland has an arrangement with the UK that was "very difficult to actually pin down".

"If that is the reality, the people of Ireland are entitled to know about it. It can’t be just kept secret," he said.

Bomb threats targeting media organisations, including RTÉ, and airlines have raised security concerns ahead of next week’s European summit in Dublin.

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