asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimated number of intrusions in Irish territorial waters during 1987 of foreign-based nuclear submarines; and the Government's position with regard to same.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nuclear Submarines Activities.
14.
Irish territorial waters at present extend to three miles from our coast. Foreign naval vessels in general are entitled under international law to transit the territorial waters of another state in exercise of a right of innocent passage. Submarines must travel on the surface in such cases and fly their flags. Specific authorisation to exercise this right of innocent passage, or notification that it has been exercised is not required; and the passage of a submarine or other naval vessel through our territorial waters in this way could not be regarded as an intrusion or an infringement of Ireland's sovereignty.
There were a constant stream of reports and interviews indicating the potential horrific consequences of an accident at sea involving a nuclear submarine. Do the Government have any method of detecting a submarine passing through our territorial waters below the surface and not flying its national flag?
I am not in a position to say whether there have been any, properly called, intrusions by nuclear submarines in the sense of passage of nuclear submarines through our territorial waters under the surface and thus contrary to the principles of international law. I have no reason to think that there have been any such intrusions. I am afraid that to a large extent we will have to rely on other countries fulfilling their international obligations but I do share the Deputy's concern. It is only one aspect of the nuclear menace which we all have to be aware of in our modern world.