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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Oct 1989

Vol. 392 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Submarine Incidents.

47.

asked the Minister for the Marine the present position in relation to damage done to Irish trawlers by submarines; the number of trawlers damaged since 1980; the number who received compensation; and the sanctions at EC level which he is seeking to protect our fishing community.

On three occasions it has been established that submarines have been involved in incidents involving Irish-registered fishing vessels, that is the MFV Sharelga on 18 April 1982, the MFV Oriel on 8 March 1984, and the MFV Carraig Buí on 17 July 1989.

Claims for compensation in respect of damage to fishing vessels caused by submarine activity are essentially a civil matter and the Government have no involvement. However, in the case of incidents involving unidentified submarines, the Government take whatever action open to them to assist in identification, thus facilitating any action for damages that might be taken.

Following widespread concern at the danger posed to fishing vessels at sea by submerged submarines the Irish Authorities brought the matter to the attention of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) which is the London-based United Nations specialised agency responsible for safety at sea. A resolution was as a result passed by the IMO Assembly, and therefore accepted by European Community maritime states, in November 1987, recommending that if a submerged submarine were to become aware of the presence of a fishing vessel and its gear it should, as far as possible, keep out of the way of that fishing vessel and any gear connected to it unless the submarine were disabled.

The Minister has outlined three incidents, but there was a recent incident where a Skerries based trawler, the Contestor P, which is not an Irish registered boat, was involved. The Government have lodged a complaint with the British authorities in regard to that incident. Can the Minister say if compensation has been paid to the owners of the trawlers concerned? With regard to the Skerries based trawler what is the state of play in relation to the British authorities or is there a final outcome to this complaint?

I will take the second question first. As the Deputy rightly states the Contestor P was not Irish registered. It was a UK registered boat. The report is that on 12 September 1989 her nets had become entangled in some gear about 25 miles off Skerries. The skipper reported that the vessel was being towed backwards by a submarine. However, it recovered an object which was about 12 feet long and 6 feet wide and landed it at Skerries. The object is believed to be a British communications buoy. It was examined by the Naval Service and the owner of the vessel is now seeking compensation from the UK authorities for the damage done. As the House knows, the Minister for Foreign Affairs took some action in that instance.

Does the Minister have any reason to believe that submarines operating within the 12 mile limit do not comply with the rules governing their movement within these waters? Does the Minister have any reports that the submarines do not surface on all occasions and fly their flags. If he has had such reports has he any means of dealing with this through the Government process?

Does the Deputy mean within the territorial waters?

I have no evidence of submarines refusing to surface within the territorial waters. The laws of the sea would apply in general in that area. However, I must say that I am not 100 per cent satisfied at present with the situation, particularly in the Irish Sea where it is known that submarines from four different countries use the Irish Sea continually. My Department have got in touch with the Department of Foreign Affairs to see if on a bilateral basis we could have some discussions apart altogether from the IMO initiative.

Could the Minister confirm if there is any truth in the report that the British Navy is planning to build a nuclear submarine base in Swansea in Wales? Reports have been circulating that that is happening. If it happens there will be much more submarine activity around our southern coast and this could cause problems.

I think there is enough activity by nuclear submarines in the Irish Sea and along the northern part of the country towards Scotland to cause concern.

Are there any sanctions the EC can take in relation to this and have the Department or the Government made any special recommendation or appeals to the EC on the overall presence of submarines in Irish waters?

The EC automatically adopts the IMO, a United Nations organisation, resolutions. The problem so far as my Department are concerned is that the submarines belong to the Ministry of Defence of some one or other of the countries that operate in the Irish Sea so the question is really one of defence, which brings in several other problems, so far as the EC is concerned. While the Community is an economic community, many of its members are members of NATO, but we are not.

Is there a case for joining NATO?

That disposes of questions for today.

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the present serious position in regard to speech therapy training facilities in County Kerry.

I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning that matter.

With your permission Sir, I wish to raise on the Adjournment, the subject matter of Question No. 12, the rod licence dispute, as we did not have an opportunity of participating in questions on it today.

I will communicate with the Deputy.

As I received an inadequate answer yesterday I would like to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 103 on yesterday's Order Paper?

I will communicate with the Deputy.

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