andMr. MacSharry asked the Minister for Defence the protection that is afforded in the new 200-mile exclusive zone; the number of vessels involved; and if foreign vessels are assisting in the patrols.
23.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishery Protection.
22.
asked the Minister for Defence if, in view of recent developments regarding the extension of fishery limits, he will state the plans his Department has to adjust the fishery protection structures to meet the present situation.
24.
andMr. Keaveney asked the Minister for Defence the Government's policy with regard to the provision of adequate patrolling of this country's exclusive fishing waters and the 200-mile zone.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 23 and 24 together.
In accordance with long-established policy, fishery protection is one of the peacetime tasks assigned to my Department. Essentially, fishery protection is afforded at present by LE Deirdre and three minesweepers. The training vessel LE Setanta has also a fishery protection capability. No foreign vessels are assisting in the patrols. As indicated by the Minister for Finance in his budget speech on the 26th January, 1977, an extra £1.2 million is being allocated for fishery protection this year in anticipation of a substantial supplement from EEC funds. This will be used for a downpayment on a third all-weather fishery protection vessel and for the provision of other patrolling resources. It is Government policy to increase the State's fishery protection and patrolling capability as an on-going matter.
Is the Minister satisfied that the existing patrol units he has will be sufficient to patrol the 200-mile limit when they have been proven not to be effective within the existing limits?
No, I do not think I am satisfied.
What is the Minister doing about it?
The Minister for Finance has announced £1.2 million this year and we are taking the necessary steps to have fishery protection very substantially increased.
Can the Minister say, in so far as finance is available from the EEC, if the EEC countries will provide vessels to assist in the patrol of the outer 200-mile limit?
The Deputy will have to put down a question to another Minister. That is not a responsibility of mine.
It is in this question.
I pointed out that, as the Minister for Finance indicated in his budget speech, the Government's concern is being shown in a very practical way by the provision of £1.2 million for fishery protection in the hope that a substantial supplement will come from EEC funds.
But no vessel?
Would the Minister agree that aircraft would be very effective in this work and that their evidence has stood up in court recently? Would he not think that helicopters could be used to very good advantage and has he any information to offer in regard to this?
As I have indicated in my reply, I am investigating the possibility of patrolling methods other than boats; aircraft, for instance.
Surely the investigation should have yielded results by now as to whether they should be acquired or not. Most people are inclined to think that they should have been supplied over the past few years. Does he not think that something more concrete than investigations——
I do. I think something should have been done about fishery protection as far back as 15, 25 or 30 years ago.
Seeing that we cannot deal with the past, would the Minister deal with the future?
I could not agree more with the Deputy, and it is because it has been neglected to such a degree that it has now become a serious problem, more particularly since the fishery limits have been extended.
Can the Minister say if there is any patrol in the outer limit?
What does the Deputy mean by the outer limit?
Outside ten miles.
Yes, there are.
Could the Minister give some examples?
Our resources are patrolling at the moment.
Where?
On the seas.
I am asking the Minister is there any patrol boat belonging to the Irish Navy outside the 12-mile limit?
Steps are being taken to protect our fisheries.
There is no protection whatsoever; the Minister is at sea.
Will the Minister outline the areas patrolled by our fishery protection fleet? In reply to a previous question the Minister indicated that two of these ships were standingby in relation to the disposal of slick and I should like to know if that means that slick disposal is considered more important than fishery protection. Has any effort been made to lease ships from the mothball fleets throughout the world so as to ensure that adequate protection is given to our fish stocks? What plans have been prepared for the patrolling of the 200-mile band?
The present strength of the Naval Service in relation to fishery protection duties is four vessels. There are three coastal minesweepers. One was delivered late in 1970 and two early in 1971. One specially designed fishery protection vessel, the LE Deirdre, was delivered in May, 1972. A second fishery protection vessel, similar to the LE Deirdre, is at present under construction at Verolme dockyard in Cork and is expected to be delivered at the end of the year. The Setanta which was recently purchased from the Commissioners of Irish Lights will be used primarily for training. The vessel may, however, carry out other duties including fishery protection while being used for training purposes. I can assure the Deputy that all steps are being taken to protect our fisheries.
Is the Minister serious in indicating to the House that the vessel purchased from the Commissioners of Irish Lights is suitable for fishery protection? The person who gave him that information is well off the beam. Would the Minister indicate how many in-service vessels are available at any given time, making allowances for repairs and so on? Will the Minister tell the House when the minesweepers are likely to be withdrawn due to age? When will they be regarded as unseaworthy and what will replace them?
There is no point in withdrawing any protection vessels until we have vessels to replace them.
Even if they are unseaworthy?
We hope to have delivery of another vessel at the end of the year and this will supplement the existing fleet.
In view of the fact that we now have a 12-mile and a 200-mile limit to control, can the Minister tell the House his plans for the patrolling of the 12-mile limit to guard from EEC states and the outer band from other countries? If the Minister has not those details, will he indicate to the House when he can make them available?
All steps will be taken to provide the necessary protection for our fisheries.