Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 3

Written Answers - Military Neutrality.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

133 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the country afforded the privilege of docking of military naval vessels in Irish seaports in each case since the foundation of the State; the facility used; the dates on which; the purpose; the duration of stay; the number of personnel on board; the number and types of armaments on board; if charges were levied; if not, the cost to the Exchequer; the number and rank of Irish military personnel involved if related to a training exercise; if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or some other military configuration; if notice of docking was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of an invitation by the Government or was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and was aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the vessel was inspected for weapons or for violation of any other law by the Irish authorities; if the harbour authorities' attention was drawn to the docking before, during or after it took place; the route approaching and leaving Irish territorial waters; and the departure port and destination port. [9370/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

134 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the country afforded the privilege of military naval vessels traversing Irish territorial waters in each case since the foundation of the State; the facility used; the dates on which; the purpose; the duration of stay; the number of personnel on board; the number and types of armaments on board; if charges were levied; if not, the cost to the Exchequer; the number and rank of Irish military personnel involved if related to a training exercise; if the exercise was under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or some other military configuration; if notice of docking was given to the Government; if it was on request, on the basis of an invitation by the Government or was an emergency; if the Minister was advised and was aware in advance; if prior ministerial authorisation was given; if the vessel was inspected for weapons or for violation of any other law by the Irish authorities; if the harbour authorities' attention was drawn to the docking before, during or after it took place; the route approaching and leaving Irish territorial waters; and the departure port and destination port. [9371/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 134 together.

The specific information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in the format requested and could only be obtained through the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Departmental time and public resources.

Visits by foreign naval vessels and their transit through Irish territorial waters can arise either at the request of the state in question, or at the invitation of the Irish authorities, for example in the case of festivals or commemorative events. Normal practice is for the sending state to make a formal request to the Government through diplomatic channels and for this to be copied by my Department to other relevant Irish authorities for their views as appropriate.

In all cases, it has been the policy of successive Governments to grant permission for visits to Irish ports and transit through Irish territorial waters by such vessels provided that they do not form part of a naval exercise and that they are not carrying nuclear weapons. The requesting states in question are fully aware of our policy and practice in this regard.

I can confirm that no visits or transits through Irish territorial waters by foreign naval vessels have related to exercises under the auspices of NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the EU Rapid Reaction Force or any other military configuration.

Questions Nos. 135 to 149, inclusive, answered with Question No. 126.