asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of accidents or incidents involving submarines in the Irish Sea in the past 20 years; and if he will outline the procedures which are available to Irish fishermen to seek compensation for accidents at sea with submarines.
Written Answers. - Incidents Involving Submarines.
28.
The Government have submitted to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) which is the international body responsible for safety at sea information on four incidents involving fishing vessels in Irish territorial waters in which they believe that submarines were involved, or are likely to have been involved. Irish territorial waters extend to 12 nautical miles from our coast. Two of the four fishing vessels involved were of Irish registration.
The Government are aware that there have been several other incidents relating to fishing vessels in which it has been alleged that submarines were involved but these have remained unsubstantiated or involved non-Irish registered vessels outside our territorial waters.
We understand that in at least one of the cases brought to the attention of the IMO the owners of a damaged fishing vessel have sought compensation and that compensation has been paid. Claims for compensation in such cases are essentially a civil matter. A particular problem clearly arises in incidents involving unidentified vessels. The Government will take whatever action is open to them to assist in the identification of such vessels thus facilitating any action for damages that might be taken.