Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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429. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of his discussions with the Russian Ambassador and at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the proposed Russian naval exercises in February 2022 off the south west coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4241/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Last week, following extensive contact with the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Dublin, I wrote to the Minister of Defence of Russia, Sergey Shoygu, to request a reconsideration of the planned Russian naval exercises off the Irish coast.

I raised a number of concerns in respect of these exercises, notably in light of the current political and security situation in Europe. I also drew attention to the concerns of the Government and other stakeholders in respect of the potential impact on fisheries and on other marine life in the area in question of the planned exercises.

On 29 January I received a response from Minister Shoygu, confirming that the exercise will be relocated outside of Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone. I have welcomed this response.

More broadly, Ireland remains concerned at the wider security situation in Europe. Together with our EU partners, our focus remains on diplomacy and de-escalation and the ongoing efforts in this regard.