asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of times, if any, in the past five years that foreign Governments have notified the Irish authorities of the innocent passage of nuclear submarines through Irish territorial waters.
Written Answers. - Nuclear Submarines.
62.
Under international law, foreign naval vessels are entitled to transit the territorial waters of another state in exercise of the right of innocent passage. Submarines must travel on the surface in such cases and must fly their flags.
No question of notification by vessels navigating in Irish territorial waters arises and no such notifications have taken place.