——and I am proud that in that short time we have made a number of improvements in the Naval Service. A reply to a parliamentary question tabled today will show there is no evidence to support the suggestion that we lost £2 billion worth of fish from our waters. However, I oppose any member state breaking EU law or regulations. As a result of providing additional resources in terms of new technology, co-operation between the Air Corps and the Naval Service, use of the CASA aircraft and more efficient use of the fishery patrol vessels, boardings and sightings have increased significantly.The comments of some people would lead one to believe the Naval Service does very little work. I am proud of the work it does. In 1996 the Naval Service record showed 2,927 sightings, 1,204 boardings and 33 detentions of fishing vessels.This represents an increase in sightings and boardings and a decrease in detentions, reflecting enhanced efficiency in the discharge of its fishery protection role. That the Naval Service has increased the number of boardings and the number of detentions has reduced proves the service is working effectively. The number of detentions is low given the number of boardings. This does not mean, however, the Naval Service does not detain people who break the law but that fewer people are breaking the law. Irrespective of whether five or ten more vessels are provided, there must be greater co-operation between member states in regard to reported landings and surveillance.
There has been much talk about mainly Spanish owned, British registered flagships. Those vessels fish out of British quotas. When I met the British Minister I told him there was no point in him shouting about flagships at Council of Ministers meetings if the British authorities do nothing to check the flagships fishing out of British quotas. I want greater co-operation between the British and Irish authorities on the quotas that apply to those fishing vessels and information on if and when they have been filled. During our Presidency of the EU we secured greater co-operation between this country and the country where landings are made because it is at that point landings can be checked against quotas. There is no point in providing 20 more vessels if these rules are not put in place and adhered to.
During our EU Presidency we endeavoured to secure agreement on satellite monitoring to ensure we know the whereabouts of all fishing vessels over 24 metres long. From 1 January 1998 vessels leaving our waters will have to report their catches. We have secured agreement to allow Irish inspectors to carry out inspections on landings in other member states, such as Spain, France or the Netherlands, and vice versa. EU inspectors can carry out spot checks.
I would like the Naval Service to have five or ten more vessels. I am doing something about that and we are in the process of getting a new vessel. I hope that programme will continue. It is grossly unfair to give the impression that nothing is happening in the meantime.