Military 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.
Neither my Department or the Defence Forces would hold any data in relation to the issue of any warnings to the Irish fishing fleet, the Irish Coastguard, marine research, shipping and airline companies operating in an area potentially impacted by a foreign military exercising.
