Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his Irish counterparts on increasing co-operation in joint naval patrolling of the Irish sea.

The Royal Navy (RN) continues to have a good working relationship with the Irish Naval Service. However, there has been no recent requirement for me to engage personally with my Irish counterparts regarding joint patrolling in the Irish Sea.

As my right hon. Friend will be aware, as part of a routine response, RN vessels recently monitored Russian surface vessels in the Irish Sea.

Escorting the Russian task group demonstrated that the RN is committed to maintaining maritime security and to co-operating with our allies and partners.