Defence Forces Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 December 2020

Thursday, 17 December 2020

Questions (366)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

366. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Defence the information his Department or the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps and Naval Service, hold on the incursion into or close to Irish waters and the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone, and territorial waters of vessels, crafts, including submarine vessels belonging to naval services of other nations, during the period 1 April to 31 October 2018; if he will provide such information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44142/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

Neither my Department nor the Defence Forces have any record of maritime vessels, crafts or submarine vessels belonging to naval services of other nations incurring into Irish Territorial Waters during the period 01 April - 31 October 2018.

With regard to Ireland's EEZ, it is not unusual for naval ships of other States to carry out training exercises within this area. This would normally involve prior notification to Irish Authorities where an exercise was taking place close to our Territorial Waters but this is not a requirement. Other nation's naval ships would be within their rights to carry out a training exercise in our EEZ or to traverse the Irish EEZ.