Dáil debates

Tuesday, 21 June 2022

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

3:05 pm

Photo of Michael CollinsMichael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Over the past few days the French authorities have notified Irish authorities that the French navy is going ahead with a military exercise, some of which was going to be inside the Irish economic zone off the south coast. This is the second country, Russia being the first, that has notified Irish authorities that it is to carry out a military exercise within Irish zoned waters in recent months. The French exercise, however, is on a much bigger scale than that proposed previously by Russia.

We have found ourselves in an astonishing situation over the past few months in regard to Irish territorial waters. This is a danger to the lives of Irish fishermen who are already struggling in terms of their incomes. It is a danger to marine life, to fish, dolphins and whales, and it is a danger to our environment and our neutrality.

We have been told that the French military exercise is not to go ahead, that it has been put off or that it will happen a foot or two outside of our waters. This is an issue of huge importance to Irish people and warrants a debate. I am calling for a full debate on the issue this week in the Dáil. I would appreciate it if the Taoiseach accepted that.

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