Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 April 2017
46. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if officials in his Department had communication with the US authorities or other Departments regarding the presence of a ship (details supplied) in Cobh harbour on 21 March 2017; if so, the details of this communication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18235/17]
View answerIn response to a request from the US Embassy, my Department granted permission for a visit by the US naval vessel, USS Donald Cook, to visit the port of Cobh from 21-25 March 2017. The purpose of the visit to Ireland was crew rest and relaxation.
Routine courtesy visits by naval vessels to foreign ports are a regular feature of international relations and help to further bilateral ties between friendly nations. Ships from our own Naval Service also regularly pay such visits to foreign ports. Permission was granted in this case in consideration of the deep ties of friendship between Ireland and the US.
As is the case, for all requests for ships to pay routine calls to Irish ports, my Department seeks the views of other Departments and agencies including An Garda Síochána, the Naval Service and the relevant port prior to permission being granted.
In seeking permission for this visit, clear assurances were received from the US Embassy that the vessel in question would not be carrying any nuclear weapons and would not engage in any military exercises while in Irish territorial waters. These conditions are imposed in line with Ireland’s longstanding policy that visiting naval vessels not carry nuclear weapons and not engage in military exercises while in Irish territorial waters.
