Bernard J. Durkan
Question:44 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself regarding the adequacy of offshore fishery protection facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8180/00]
Written Answers. - Fishing Fleet Protection.
Offshore fisheries inspection and surveillance is carried out on behalf of my Department, which has policy responsibility for fisheries protection, by the Naval Service and Air Corps. The capital resources available to the Naval Service consist of eight patrol vessels, including the LE Roisín, which was commissioned late last year. The Naval Service's patrol activities are supported and complemented by the monitoring and surveillance undertaken by the two CASA aircraft operated by the Air Corps.
I welcome the commitments in the White Paper on Defence to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of those services to my Department. In that context the development of service agreements between the Naval Service, the Air Corps and my Department will set agreed levels and standards of sea and air support requirements for fisheries protection. Overall the objective is to maximise capabilities within available resources on a value for money basis through better utilisation of manpower and other resources and enhancement of performance, including days at sea, utilisation of patrol days and numbers of boardings and sightings.
On this basis, and taking account of evolving systems of control including the use of satellite technology, there is every prospect that even with existing assets, the level and effectiveness of fishery protection services can be substantially increased and afford adequate protection and enforcement in the Irish fisheries zone.