66. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the ship docked at Marino Point, Cork Harbour on 7 August 2026 was a military vessel; the nature of its presence in Cork Harbour; whether permission was sought and received; and the protocol for such visiting ships. [60628/26]

Foreign naval vessels are granted permission to visit Irish ports on the condition that they meet the necessary policy stipulations. In particular, these require that naval vessels visiting Irish ports do not carry nuclear weapons and do not engage in military exercises. These are the standard stipulations for any naval vessel to visit an Irish port. All naval vessels also require diplomatic clearance to enter Irish territorial waters.

It is the long-standing policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade not to disclose details relating to the specifics of diplomatic clearance requests, as such information is provided by Embassies in the expectation of the maintenance of confidentiality. However, the Department can confirm that a British naval vessel was granted permission to berth in Cork Harbour and that the correct diplomatic procedure was observed.