Taoiseach Michéal Martin has said that Shannon airport is not being used by US planes involved in bombing campaigns in Iran.
Mr Martin is on the second day of his visit to the United States, as part of St Patrick's Day celebrations.
He will spend the day in Philadelphia before travelling to Washington DC later this evening.
He said there had been repeated attempts to conflate Shannon with both the war in Gaza and the current war in Iran, which were absolutely false.
He said there were established rules in terms of the utilisation of Irish airspace and insisted that "we haven't had any strong evidence that our airspace is being used for any attacks on Iran."
The Taoiseach acknowledged however that the capacity to investigate or intervene if there were transgressions is "challenging and problematic".
"I think everyone would accept that," he said.
Mr Martin also said there is a standing invitation to US President Donald Trump to visit Ireland but said the Government did not have any details as to what his "schedule would permit or whether he is coming to Ireland this year".
Asked about whether he had concerns about immigration policing during St Patrick's Day celebrations,
Mr Martin said none of the groups he had met had expressed those concerns but said "there are concerns more generally, apart from St Patrick's Day, in respect of the undocumented."
Asked if he would raise concerns about ICE with Mr Trump, Mr Martin said: "The engagement is more a two-way discussion, a number of issues will arise and we'll deal with those at the meeting itself."
Asked about whether the Government would intervene to remove of the cap on passenger numbers at Dublin airport, Mr Martin said there was "no alternative to legislating for this, parallel with the planning application that is going through."
He said otherwise it could be subject to legal attack.
Mr Martin declined to comment on Kneecap.
The Taoiseach marched in the St Patrick's Day parade in Philadelphia, which kicked off at 11am local time.
He will travel to Washington DC, where he will stay for the remainder of his visit.
He is set to attend a reception at the Irish ambassador’s residence tonight ahead of high-level political and business meetings that begin tomorrow.
An Oval Office meeting between the Taoiseach and US President has been organised for Tuesday along with the traditional shamrock ceremony.
Ahead of the meeting, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon said that the Taoiseach is "very well able to hold his own", as he did last year, when he meets Donald Trump on Tuesday.
"It’s always best to promote what it is you think your person that you're talking with is interested in," the Democratic representative for Pennsylvania’s 5th District said.
"The President is obviously very interested in economic interests around the world, and I'm quite sure the Taoiseach is prepared to address that," the representative told reporters at Villanova University following Mr Martin's speech last night.
The Taoiseach has so far stressed the importance of the relationship between Ireland and the US and has highlighted trade and investment between the two nations.
Ireland is now the fifth largest source of foreign direct investment in the US.
"I know that there are challenges but let me assure you our commitment to the United States is steadfast," he said.
"As a small open economy, our position is to support open, rules-based trade, and to keep the transatlantic partnership steady - because it underpins critical jobs and investment on both sides of the Atlantic."
He had a similar message for guests at the annual Friendly Sons and Daughters of St Patrick’s Gala last night.
"The US is Ireland’s largest trading and investment partner. The economic benefits flow both ways, creating prosperity and jobs for large numbers of people on both sides of the Atlantic," he said.
Tánaiste travels to London for St Patrick's Day programme
Meanwhile, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris travelled to London as part of his St Patrick's Day programme.
It follows the Tánaiste's visit to Paris earlier this week, where he met the French finance minister.
In London, Mr Harris met UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy.
He also took part in the city's St Patrick's Day parade later and met Irish community leaders.
Speaking from the stage in Trafalgar Square, Mr Harris said of London: "We help build this great city. We help contribute to this great city and I'm so proud of the links between London and Ireland, between Ireland and Britain.
"Today is an opportunity to celebrate - to celebrate our values, celebrate our connectivity and to celebrate our connection."
Mr Harris said the Government is preparing measures that could be introduced to help people with the cost of living will be needed due to the war in Iran.
"We're very actively monitoring the situation in terms of the conflict in the Gulf region and the potential economic consequences that could have for our own country and for the Eurozone, and we're preparing a number of measures that could be deployed in various scenarios, and should those scenarios materialise.
"And I think over the course of the next brief period, we're going to get a better sense of whether this is a conflict that's likely to run for a long period or a short period, and then, depending on that, what the economic impact is likely to be," he said.
He rejected suggestions that the promised VAT rate cut for the hospitality industry could be delayed or cancelled to finance a cost of living package.
"The budget is a budget.
"It's extraordinarily important, by the way, that you support jobs and that you help reduce the cost base for small and medium businesses.
"I gave that commitment to small and medium businesses during the election, to cafes to rural pubs and serve food to restaurants that we would help reduce their cost base.
"This is an important measure, and now more than ever, in this volatile time, it's really important that we literally put our money where our mouth is, in terms of backing Irish businesses," he said.
Asked if suggestions by Niall Collins of Fianna Fáil that the VAT cut should be delayed reflected a division between the Government parties, he said: "Just to be clear, the Government brought forward this measure, all of the Government.
"We passed it through Cabinet. We voted for it in the Dáil and this is the policy of the Government of Ireland"
Mr Harris will also address business executives at a British Irish Chamber of Commerce event tomorrow.
The Tánaiste will then hold bilateral meetings with Ms Reeves and Mr Lammy.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr Harris said he welcomed the opportunity.
"Across Britain, hundreds of thousands of people claim Irish heritage. Our families, culture and economies are deeply intertwined," he said.
"The St Patrick's Day festival provides an opportunity to connect and celebrate a shared heritage," he added.
Mr Harris said he was also looking forward to meeting UK companies to "discuss our strong economic ties and our shared challenges and opportunities".
"In the context of our unique relationship with the UK, and at this time of global uncertainty, it is essential that we continue to foster close relationships with our nearest neighbour," he added.
