asked the Minister for Defence whether there are any plans to extend the present fishery protection service so that Irish territorial waters may be patrolled more effectively; and whether the present corvettes of the Naval Service are to be retained indefinitely.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishery Protection Service.
51.
Mr. O'Leary
A decision has not yet been taken as to what extension, if any, of the present fishery protection service will be effected or as to how long the corvettes will be retained in service.
Mr. O'Leary
Does the Minister not realise that serving in these corvettes will soon become an occupational hazard? I do not know what the life span of these vessels is but they should be reaching the stage of obsolescence.
They have been examined by the surveyor from the Department of Transport and Power and the seafaring life of vessels such as these can be estimated and determined on inspection by such officers.
Mr. O'Leary
Surely there are complaints every day of the week that our territorial waters are not being effectively patrolled by the present vessels and surely it is time we changed them?
That is a separate question. As I have already told the Deputy, it has not yet been decided what action the Government will take on the matter raised here and all I can tell the Deputy at the moment is that the matter is under active consideration.
Mr. O'Leary
I quite realise this may come within the bounds of the security of the State, but I should ask the Minister when, in fact, action will be taken in the matter.
I am unable to answer that specific question.
Mr. O'Leary
But the matter is being considered?
The matter raised in the question is under active consideration.