asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department was consulted in advance in respect of a visit by a Dutch naval submarine to Dublin Port on the weekend of 30 April to 2 May, 1983; if the Department approved of the visit; and if he is satisfied that the visit did not compromise Irish neutrality.
Written Answers. - Visit by Dutch Submarine.
357.
The Deputy is presumably refering to the Dutch submarine Tonijn which visited Dublin from 30 April to 4 May. This was a routine courtesy visit of the same kind as those paid by Irish naval vessels to foreign parts. In accordance with normal international practice for visits by foreign naval vessels, my Department received a formal request for permission from the Netherlands Embassy.
In reply to the last part of the Deputy's question I do not believe that such visits compromise our neutrality in any way.