asked the Minister for Defence whether means are available for the detection of the presence of nuclear submarines in the neighbourhood of fishing grounds used by Irish trawlers; if so, whether consideration is being given to the publication of this information on a routine basis; if not, whether his Department is giving consideration to obtaining appropriate submarine detection equipment for this purpose; and if he has any statistics relating to the number of nuclear submarines in the Irish Sea.
Written Answers. - Nuclear Submarine Presence.
48.
Limerick West): It must be recognised that the detection of submerged submarines remains the most difficult and expensive problem for naval forces, even for those countries with large modern navies. Irish Naval Service vessels are fitted with appropriate equipment for the task of surveillance of Irish territorial waters but it would not be in the interest of security to give details of the equipment or of proposals for the acquisition of further equipment.
In accordance with international law, submarines within territorial waters are required to navigate on the surface and show their flag. As regards statistics on the activities of nuclear submarines the Deputy is referred to the reply given by the Taoiseach to Deputy Kenny in the Dáil on 17 May 1988.