Skip to main content

Written question asked by Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 April 2026 (named day). It was answered by Al Carns (Labour) on Monday, 20 April 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.


Russia: Shipping

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions have been held with the Government of the Irish Republic on what increases in co-operation are required to deal with the numbers of Russian shadow fleet vessels operating in British and Irish territorial waters.

Answer

Deterring and disrupting the Russian shadow fleet is a priority for the UK, and we are working closely with our allies and partners to do so.

Earlier this year the Secretary of State for Defence and the Irish Minister for Defence signed the refreshed UK-Ireland Memorandum of Understanding.

Under this Memorandum of Understanding, the UK Armed Forces and the Irish Defence Forces will strengthen their maritime security cooperation to develop improved response mechanisms to maritime security incidents in British and Irish territorial waters.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
127044
Session
2024-26
Subjects
International cooperation Republic of Ireland Shipping Russia
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk