Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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223. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the total number of vessels that were found to have unlawfully entered Irish territorial waters or the States exclusive economic zone in each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54660/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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At their outset, it is important to note that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) allows for all vessels, including military vessels, to transit through the territorial waters of coastal states when conducting innocent passage. Furthermore, naval vessels are permitted to conduct exercises outside of territorial waters in a country’s Exclusive Economic Zone so long as this does not unduly interfere with the Coastal State. Any vessels transiting Irish waters must do so in compliance with international law and may be subject to sighting and observation by the Naval Service and Air Corps without their innocent passage being infringed.

The Defence Forces monitor activity within Irish territorial waters and the Irish EEZ on a continual basis. For security and operational reasons the Deputy will appreciate it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further.