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Military Neutrality

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2022

Tuesday, 28 June 2022

Ceisteanna (302, 343, 440, 544, 545, 546)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

302. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will identify the person who initiated the visit of the HMS Enterprise war ship to Cork city; and when the invitation was sent to the British admiralty. [33991/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

343. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the purpose of the Royal Naval vessel which was docked in Cork Harbour for a number of days; the permissions sought and granted for this vessel to dock; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33683/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

440. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views in relation to an incident in Cork harbour recently and the arrival of a foreign warship to the harbour; if he will confirm that all laws and procedures were adhered to in relation to the arrival of such vessels in Ireland's territorial waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33944/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

544. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention was drawn in advance to the fact that a British navy ship was to dock at Cork’s Horgan's Quay; if he queried the purpose of the visit; and if he gave permission for this visit. [34480/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

545. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the docking of a British naval vessel at Cork’s Horgan's Quay was consistent with Ireland's policy of neutrality; and if he sought and received assurances from the ship regarding the purposes of this visit. [34481/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

546. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is permissible under Irish law for the crew to be armed when naval vessels from other jurisdictions undertake a courtesy visit to a location in this State. [34482/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 302, 343, 440, 544, 545 and 546 together.

Visits from foreign naval vessels are a long-standing and common practice in Ireland and worldwide.  It is therefore normal and welcome for foreign naval vessels to visit Irish ports, whether that be to carry out joint training with the Irish Naval Service or simply to take crew rest. 

As I have noted previously, foreign naval vessels are only granted permission to visit Irish ports on condition that they meet the necessary policy stipulations. In particular, these require that naval vessels visiting Irish ports do not carry nuclear weapons and do not engage in military exercises.

In this instance, permission was requested earlier this month for the Royal Navy survey ship, HMS Enterprise, to pay a routine visit to Cork from the 12th to the 18th of June. Permission was granted on the basis of the conditions that I have already outlined, i.e. that the vessel not engage in any military exercises or naval manoeuvres or carry nuclear weapons. 

Nevertheless, it is customary for the crew of a naval vessel to be armed, including when paying a visit to a foreign port. The Firearms Act 1925 as amended provides a specific exemption to the requirement to have a firearms certificate where the possession of a firearm is on board a ship as part of the equipment of the ship. 

Security arrangements for such visits are ultimately a matter for An Garda Síochána, with whom my Department consults before granting permission for a ship to visit.  

Ireland’s longstanding policy of neutrality is characterised by non-membership of military alliances and means that we do not participate in common or mutual defence arrangements.   In this context, port visits like that of the HMS Enterprise are not indicative of anything other than our desire for friendly relations with our neighbours and our desire for the Irish Naval Service to be equipped to communicate with other navies where necessary. 

On this occasion, the Irish Naval Service also availed of this opportunity to engage in a joint communication exercise with the British vessel in question outside Irish territorial waters.

I would note that the Irish Naval Service itself regularly visits foreign ports in precisely the same manner, including ports in the UK.   

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