Vol. 442 No. 4
83 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine the number of incidents where submarine activity has interfered with shipping vessels in the last five years in view of the general public concern and in particular the fishing community's concern; and the progress that has been made to address this matter.
In the past five years there has been one incident where it was established that a submarine was involved with an Irish vessel. The incident, which involved a fishing vessel, occurred in 1989.
I share the Deputy's concern at the dangers posed by submarines to shipping and fishing vessels and their crews. As Minister with responsibility for safety of life at sea as well as for the shipping and fishing sectors I am committed to taking every possible opportunity to focus the attention of the international maritime community on the hazards posed by submarines and to highlight the need for constant vigilance on the part of those who operate such vessels.
Under international law submarines travelling on the surface have the right of innocent passage, without notification, through territorial waters. They may, on the other hand, pass freely through international waters whether on the surface or submerged.
Nonetheless, Ireland continues to make her concerns at the dangers posed by submarines known at the appropriate international fora notably the United Nations and the International Maritime Organisation, IMO. At the Irish Government's initiative a Resolution on the avoidance by submerged submarines of fishing vessels and their fishing gear was passed by the General Assembly of the IMO.
