Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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166. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to Marine Notice 38/2022 in respect of French military exercises (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33756/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Aviation Authority were advised of a missile/rocket firing exercise by the French military impacting a small part of the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to the South-West of Ireland and in turn informed my Department.

In line with our responsibilities under the Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, my Department published a marine notice based on the information provided to us.  Such notices are issued for information purposes for maritime safety and navigation reasons to make mariners aware of any operations taking place, that the Department has been notified of, in order to ensure their safety and should not be construed as conferring rights or granting permissions.  As such, the Notices are issued to a broad range of stakeholders such as Shipowners, Fishing Vessel Owners, Agents, Shipmasters, Skippers, Fishers, Yachtsmen and Seafarers.

I understand that the Department of Foreign Affairs is in ongoing contact with the French authorities in relation to the matter and that following publication of the marine notice, the French authorities confirmed that no naval vessels were to be present in the Irish EEZ during the exercise.  

The Department will withdraw the marine notice once it has been confirmed that the exercises are completed.