asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, if his Department gave permission for a United States naval vessel, USS Scott, with a nuclear missile carrying capability to visit Cork in July 1984.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers - Visit of US Naval Vessel.
12.
The USS Scott was given permission to visit Cobh from 22 to 26 June 1984. I am satisfied that any weapons which were on board the USS Scott when it visited Cobh were of a conventional type.
Can the Minister say what mechanism exists and where it is operated from to determine whether such war boats which visit us have not this nuclear carrying capacity or facility?
I am not an authority on this subject. I understand that the Irish Naval Service told my Department that there were none on board that vessel. Any vessel has the capability of carrying it whether or not it has the capability of launching it. This vessel was not designed for the American Navy originally.
It was designed for the Shah of Iran.
That is correct. When his Government fell the American Navy took it over.
The Minister said he was not sure how these things are checked out. He also was not sure whether a vessel which could carry these nuclear weapons would be able to launch them. Surely there is no point in carrying these things unless they are prepared to use them. Would the Minister consider as a matter of urgency consulting with his colleagues to see if the mechanism which is in existence for checking out these things needs to be updated or improved.
It is not the first time it has been used.
I accept that.
I will do what the Deputy suggests.
The Minister said there were conventional weapons only on board. Are there any nuclear type weapons which are now described as conventional weapons?
That is a question I am not capable of answering. I do not know.