asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the verification procedures that are used by his Department to ensure that visiting naval ships to Irish ports are not carrying nuclear weapons; whether the US authorities co-operate fully with these procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Nuclear Weapons.
74.
It has been the policy of successive Governments normally to grant permission for a visit to an Irish port by a foreign naval vessel provided that the visit does not form part of a naval exercise and the vessel is not carrying nuclear weapons. When an application for a visit is received in my Department all necessary consultations take place with the appropriate authorities to ensure that the above conditions are complied with. It is not the practice to disclose details of these consultations. All countries which seek permission for visits by their naval vessels to an Irish port are obliged to comply with the conditions laid down by my Department relating to such visits.