asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that the fishery conservators at Drogheda are very perturbed about the illegal manner in which foreign trawlers are operating outside Drogheda Bar, and, if so, if he will arrange for a patrol boat to take up duty in the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign Trawlers at Drogheda.
asked the Minister for Defence whether he has received a complaint concerning illegal trawling outside Drogheda Bar, and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter.
asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that foreign trawlers have been fishing off Drogheda Bar, and, if so, whether he will have this area patrolled more regularly by units of the naval service.
With your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 20 and 21 together.
I am aware that the Drogheda Board of Fishery Conservators complained regarding this matter and the area in question was patrolled at the end of last month by a corvette of the naval service which also made contact with a number of local boats. No illegal fishing by foreign trawlers was observed and the local boats had no complaints of any activities by such trawlers within the exclusive fishery limits.
It will be realised that, with the few vessels at our disposal, the amount of time which a vessel can spare along any section of our long coast line must be very limited.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is the Minister aware that there have been trawlers coming in there at night? As late as last week, quite a number of trawlers came in to shelter from storms along the coast and they proceeded to clear whatever salmon were there out of it on their way out. Would the Minister have this matter further investigated?
Is there any chance that the Minister will make a helicopter available in that area?
We have asked the local Gardaí and the people concerned, when they see these trawlers, to give us speedy notice. The people around there do see them but they keep the news to themselves until they have gone. If we get the information, we shall get after them as quickly as possible but we cannot put boats around the whole coast.
Does the Minister suggest that if somebody in that area rings up his Department at 12 o'clock at night, somebody will be found to send after the trawlers? The Gardaí down there are bad swimmers and would not be able to overtake the trawlers.
The Minister is always available.
Even 12 o'clock at night?
Even at 2 o'clock in the morning.