asked the Minister for Communications the efforts that have been made to date to ensure the safety of Irish fishing vessels and their crews going about their lawful business from the activities of submarines encroaching on their fishing grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Safety of Fishing Vessels.
99.
To date only one of the reported incidents involving fishing vessels in the Irish Sea has been proven to have been caused by a submarine. In that instance — the loss of the Sharelga in April 1982 — my predecessor ordered a preliminary inquiry under section 465 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. Before that inquiry had been completed by a marine surveyor from my Department, the United Kingdon admitted that one of its submarines had been responsible.
Immediately on becoming aware of the incident involving the fishing vessel Oriel on 8 March last, I appointed a marine surveyor to conduct a preliminary inquiry into that casualty. His report has been received and is at present under consideration in my Department.
Sea craft, whether they be submarines, warships, merchant vessels or fishing vessels, are entitled to pass through the high seas, that is the seas outside our territorial waters. This right of innocent passage on the high seas is long recognised in international law and is enjoyed by Irish ships as well as those of all other countries.
Nevertheless, my colleague the Minister for Foreigh Affairs has taken steps to make other Governments aware of the Government's concern that the movements of submarines in the waters off our coasts should be conducted with full regard to the safety of merchant and fishing vessels.