Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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419. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has received reports of US Navy personnel berthed in Cobh, County Cork, bearing arms onshore in March 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18203/17]

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

Security arrangements for visits by ships paying routine calls to Irish ports, such as this visit, are a matter for An Garda Síochána with whom my Department consults before granting permission for a ship to visit.

My Department has received no reports about any US personnel carrying weapons while onshore.