asked the Minister for Defence if he will furnish details in relation to (a) the boats purchased recently for fishery protection and (b) the planes and helicopters purchased or ordered for fishery protection.
11.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishery Protection.
10.
asked the Minister for Defence the vessels he proposes to purchase or lease for fishery protection; and the tonnage, type and previous duties of these vessels.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.
No boats, planes or helicopters were purchased or ordered recently for fishery protection. Arrangements have been made, however, for the bareboat charter of a vessel for this purpose, subject to satisfactory sea trials. This vessel, of 651 gross register tonnage, was built as a stern trawler and, in 1974, converted to operate as a seismic survey vessel. Arrangements have also been made to charter an aircraft for a period up to three years.
Is it not a fact that the Minister stated recently that it was the intention of the Government to purchase and put into use a number of boats and planes for fishery protection? Is he now telling the House that this is not so?
I have not so indicated. I told Deputies about the arrangements which have already been made. In regard to aircraft, as an initial step it has been decided to lease a suitable twin-engined aircraft to be operated by Air Corps personnel after the initial training period. In addition considerable steps for the improvement of our fishery protection have been taken. We hope to have within the next few days the Danish vessel which we are chartering, with the option to purchase. We also hope to have delivery of a new fishery protection vessel in November or December. We also propose to make a downpayment for the building of another new vessel for fishery protection. I can assure the Deputy that the Department are more than actively concerned about the provision of vessels and aircraft for fishery protection.
Can the Minister state if it is proposed to have the new boat he mentioned in his reply built in Ireland and, if so, where?
The Deputy is raising a separate question.
As far as possible all boats will be built in this country.
What about the Japanese boats?
The Minister stated that a new boat was being built? Can he tell us positively if it is the intention to have this boat built here?
Yes.
Where?
The Minister indicated that no boats have been built or leased recently and they propose to charter a 651 ton boat. Can he indicate if the recommendation of the Naval Service was for a boat of a minimum of 1,000 tons for all-weather fishery protection and why at this stage are they chartering inferior boats not capable of doing the work they are required to do? Can the Minister further indicate whether there is any tie-up with any other members of the Nine in relation to the policing of our waters?
I can assure the Deputy that we will be quite capable of protecting our own fishery limits and steps are being taken to ensure that they will be rigidly protected. It is not correct to say that any inferior type vessels are being purchased or leased.
Can the Minister indicate if there is any tie-up with other members of the Nine in relation to the policing of our waters? Further can he indicate what has happened to the five ships and three planes that another Minister indicated were being purchased for fishery protection?
Can the Deputy explain what he means by a tie-up?
Can the Minister answer my question?
I have answered the Deputy's question.
Can the Minister state if there is any tie-up with the other members of the Nine with relation to the policing of our waters?
If when Fianna Fáil were in power they had taken steps to provide fishery protection vessels the serious situation we are now remedying would not exist. We are doing something practical about it.
Can the Minister——
Order, Deputy Dowling.
A Cheann Comhairle——
Deputy Dowling, I am on my feet.
Can the Minister indicate if there is a tie-up with any other——
If the Deputy seeks to defy the Chair again——
This is an important question.
The Deputy will please resume his seat.
This is in relation to the policing——
How many times do I have to call on the Deputy to resume his seat? The Deputy will resume his seat forthwith or leave the House.
I am told to leave the House every time I ask a supplementary question.
The Deputy consistently disobeys the Chair.
I do not.
I have asked the Deputy to resume his seat.
You are seeking to protect the Minister.
That is an uncalled-for remark.
Is there any tie-up with the British Navy?
Order. Deputy Dowling will withdraw the remark he made against the Chair or leave the House.
I will not withdraw what I know to be true and I will leave the House. You are protecting the Minister and have continuously been protecting him.
That is uncalled for behaviour.
You can call it what you like.