Dick Spring
Question:86 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions, if any, which have taken place with the British authorities regarding dangers in the Irish Sea from submarines.
Written Answers. - Shipping Dangers in Irish Sea.
I informed the Dáil in a reply I gave on 23 November last [Official Report vol. 393, cols. 1578-1585] of the position in international law governing the operation of submarines and I set out the action the Government have taken, having regard to international law, to convey their views in the matter of the operation of submarines in areas where fishing vessels are known to be present, especially in comparatively narrow sea lanes such as those in the Irish Sea. I am satisfied that the British authorities are fully aware of our views and concerns which we have also brought to the attention of the international community through, for example, the International Maritime Organisation and the UN.
Where it has been possible to identify a submarine which was involved in an incident with an Irish fishing vessel, the Government have undertaken bilateral contact with the State concerned. British submarines have been identified as being involved in a number of incidents affecting Irish fishing vessles. With regard to the most recent incident involving theContestor P, I told the Dáil in another reply given on 23 November last [Official Report vol. 393, cols. 1591-1592 that the British Ambassador was told of the Government's serious concern about the incident, which had to be seen against a background of a number of incidents in the past involving Irish and other vessels. The Ambassador was asked to convey to his authorities the Government's concern that measures be taken to prevent a recurrence of this incident and that compensation should be paid.