Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2022
270. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Defence the number of times naval training exercises that have been conducted within Ireland’s exclusive economic zone or Irish-controlled airspace by foreign navies, further disaggregated by country or countries conducting said exercises in each of the years from 2000 to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5564/22]
View answerMilitary exercises or manoeuvres are traditionally recognized as being a part of the freedom of the high seas as captured in article 87 under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). These rights are transcribed directly into the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of coastal states.
Under international law, including UNCLOS, states are entitled to carry out naval exercises in another state’s EEZ. It is not unusual for naval ships or vessels of other States to carry out training exercises within the Irish EEZ or to passage through this area. This is not in any way an infringement of our national territory.
While foreign militaries are not obliged in most cases to inform the coastal authorities of their proposed activities, the Naval Service has collated some data in relation to encounters with foreign navies in the Irish EEZ over the past few years. However, I will not be releasing any specific details in relation to activities of foreign militaries that are held by the Naval Service. I can confirm that encounters with foreign militaries in the Irish EEZ include sightings, planned visits to Ireland and hailing for information gathering.
The Irish Aviation Authority is best-placed to provide the Deputy with the relevant information in respect exercises carried out in Irish controlled airspace.
