asked the Minister for Defence when it is proposed to replace the three minesweepers at present in use and to purchase additional ships to meet present day requirements.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ship Purchases.
9.
As the three minesweepers are seaworthy and capable of further operational use it is not possible to say when they will be replaced. A second fishery protection vessel is under construction for the Naval Service and the question of acquiring additional ships, to meet any increased fishery protection requirements, is under consideration at present.
When are the present vessels due to be withdrawn from the service in view of the fact that other navies have withdrawn theirs? They are now 20 years old and are classified as unseaworthy in other navies. What forward planning is being undertaken to protect the existing and proposed extension of our fishery limits? Will the examination be completed at an early date so that our fishermen, who are vulnerable to poaching, will be protected?
In so far as the three minesweepers are concerned, I have no information suggesting they are unseaworthy and an order has been placed with the Verolme Cork Dockyard for a second protection vessel similar to the Deirdre which it is expected will be delivered in November next year. The other matters referred to by the Deputy are still under examination and it is not possible to say when a decision will be reached.
Can the Taoiseach tell us what positive plans have been made to protect our fishing? At this stage the Government must be able to tell us what policy they have in mind for the protection of fishermen. In view of the fact that ships similar to those in our Naval Service have been withdrawn from other navies, can the Taoiseach give any further information than that a ship is being built at the moment? Is there any intention of replacing these three vessels in view of our proposed extended fishing limits?
As I explained last week, the question of assistance to protect the extended fishery limit is being considered by the EEC. Pending that decision, a new vessel has been ordered. The general question is still under examination.
We should have a positive policy for fishery protection. It is not enough to say that we will depend on others to protect our fishermen. Can the Taoiseach tell us if there is a positive policy in relation to the policing of our waters in future, because at the moment our existing fishery limits are inadequately policed?
The Deputy is widening the scope of this question.
I did not suggest that we were going to depend on others to protect them. The question of what assistance will be forthcoming from the EEC to member states is still under consideration by the EEC.
A final, brief supplementary.
It is not enough to say we are depending on the outcome of a conference or saying that we may get assistance. Have we a positive policy? Have we an estimate of our requirements to meet our vital commitments? Is there a positive policy——
That is a separate question.
——in operation? Have the Government a positive policy for the policing of the proposed limits? Irrespective of whether we get assistance from abroad, these waters have to be policed.
As I explained, the matter is still under consideration.
How long more will it be under consideration?