Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2022
316. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Defence if a risk analysis has been undertaken in relation to the threat from military activity of other states in Ireland’s exclusive economic zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7270/22]
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 Exclusive Economic Zone, 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 and is therefore not regarded as threatening activity that requires a risk analysis.
The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main day to day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks in tandem with maritime surveillance, and as such any Naval Service patrol should be viewed as a multi-faceted activity. In terms of fishery protection, the Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the EEZ.
The Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron carries out aerial surveillance of the EEZ using the two CASA CN 235 maritime patrol aircraft. These aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communication equipment which offers aerial assistance to the Naval Service in patrolling the EEZ.
All observed activities, including foreign military activity, are monitored during regular maritime defence and security operations by the Defence Forces.
