asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware of the depredations of foreign trawlers off the coast of Kerry, and whether he will take such steps as are necessary to prevent these trawlers from fishing within our exclusive fishery limits along the Kerry coast.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign Trawlers.
My Department has not received recently any reports of foreign trawlers fishing in territorial waters off the coast of Kerry. This area was recently patrolled by one of our fishery protection vessels. Information was received by the commanding officer of this vessel that foreign trawlers had been seen within territorial waters but the officer was satisfied, as the area indicated was not a fishing ground, that the trawlers were not engaged in illegal activities. As the Deputy is aware, the interests of our fishermen are being protected to the untmost extent possible by the vessels which are available for the purpose.