Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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283. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of the circumstances surrounding the docking of a US warship (details supplied) at Cobh Harbour on 21 March 2017; the reason it was docked; the purpose of its journey; the permissions that were granted and by whom for the docking of the warship and for military and navy personnel to patrol the quay; if the vessel has been searched to ensure there are no nuclear weapons on board; the steps that have been taken to ensure no military exercises were or will be carried out in Irish waters; the consultation that took place with An Garda Síochána prior to the docking of the vessel; if this is the same warship that fired the first tomahawk cruise missiles into Baghdad almost 14 years ago on 20 March 2003 resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Iraqi citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15342/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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In response to a request from the US Embassy, my Department granted permission for a visit by the US naval vessel, USS Donald Cook, to visit the port of Cobh from 21-25 March 2017. The purpose of the visit to Ireland was crew rest and relaxation.

As is the case, for all requests for ships to pay routine calls to Irish ports, my Department seeks the views of other agencies including An Garda Síochána and the Naval Service prior to permission being granted.

In seeking permission for this visit, clear assurances were received from the US Embassy that the vessel in question would not be carrying any nuclear weapons and would not engage in any military exercises while in Irish territorial waters. These conditions are imposed in line with Ireland’s longstanding policy that visiting naval vessels not carry nuclear weapons and not engage in military exercises while in Irish territorial waters.

Routine courtesy visits by naval vessels to foreign ports are a regular feature of international relations and help to further bilateral ties between friendly nations. Ships from our own Naval Service also regularly pay such visits to foreign ports. Permission was granted in this case in consideration of the deep ties of friendship between Ireland and the US.

Security arrangements for such visits are a matter for An Garda Síochána with whom my Department consults before granting permission for naval visits.