Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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620. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had talks or consultations with the US Government regarding the Hibernia Atlantic cable being used as a data conduit to facilitate the operation of unmanned drones in the Middle East by its military; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6422/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I have not had any talks or consultations with the Government of the United States of America regarding the Hibernia Atlantic Cable.

As Minister, I have no role in determining the uses to which international fibre connections can be put, nor do I have any role in the monitoring of data traffic passing over fibre networks transiting the State. The maintenance of free and open connectivity high capacity connectivity has provided manifold benefits for society, not least in terms of freedom of expression and freedom of access to information online.

The Government remains consistent in our view that the use of ‘drones’ or unmanned vehicles (UAVs) must be accordance with international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law. We welcome the continued discussion of the use of drones, including the relevant principles and norms of international law, across the human rights sphere.