asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will seek details from the British and American authorities of (1) the number of nuclear submarines passing through the Irish Sea in the past six years and (2) the number of boats damaged or lost over the last six years as a result of this recent increase in the traffic of nuclear submarines in the Irish Sea.
Written Answers. - Nuclear Submarine Traffic.
65.
(1) The Deputy will be aware that Ireland's national control over foreign vessels ends at the 12 mile limit of our territorial waters. Submarines are entitled to exercise rights of innocent passage within our territorial waters. While doing so they are obliged to travel on the surface and to show identification. No submarines have exercised their rights of innocent passage in our territorial waters in this manner over the last six years. All nations have free access under international law to the international waters beyond territorial waters.
Submarines play a central role in the strategic plans of military alliances, a role in which their capacity to circulate unobserved is essential. Accordingly, the powers concerned do not release information about movement of their vessels in international waters, or their numbers.
(2) The safety of Irish vessels at sea has been a matter of particular concern to the Government. The Government have brought the issue to the attention of all parties concerned through the channels of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Four incidents involving boats damaged or lost have been raised by the Government at the IMO. The list includes well publicised casualties to fishing vessels which were caused or were likely to have been caused by submerged submarines.