asked the Minister for Defence the number of arrests of foreign trawlers by the naval service since the Government's unilateral action in relation to this country's fishery limits.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign Trawler Arrests.
11.
Since the 10th April, 1977, there has been one arrest of foreign trawlers involving ten Dutch fishing vessels.
Would the Minister state why it is necessary for questions from this side of the House and for the IFO to goad the Government into taking action in view of the fact that it is well-known that foreign trawlers were fishing inside the limit during the period since the unilateral action was taken?
In the case of any foreign trawlers which come to the notice of the Army protection services, the Navy or the Air Corps, suitable action will be taken against them as was done in the case of the ten Dutch trawlers, even in spite of Deputy Dowling's best efforts otherwise.
Would the Minister tell the House why the commander of the patrol vessel suggested to the Dutch fishing boats that they should leave the area when they were found fishing inside the limit and why they were not arrested immediately they were found fishing illegally inside the limit?
It is normal to give a warning and to direct attention to the fact that illegal fishing is in process. If the offenders discover that they are fishing illegally, express regret and move out no action is taken but if they persist in fishing illegally suitable action is taken. It is only fair that a warning should be given. I understand that a warning was given.
Would the Minister tell the House why those instructions were given to the commander of the patrol vessel? Who gave the instructions on behalf of the Government? Did they come from the Minister's Department or the Minister for Foreign Affairs? Who was responsible for giving those instructions?
May I inquire from the Deputy if he feels that we were wrong in arresting the ten Dutch trawlers?
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Brennan, a final supplementary.
I asked a question and I am asking the Minister for an answer. Who gave instructions to the officer in charge of the patrol vessel——
That is not the question on the Order Paper.
——suggesting that the Dutch vessels might leave the area?
The Naval Service have their general instructions that if their attention is directed to foreign trawlers fishing illegally they take suitable action forthwith. Suitable action has been taken in this case.
Would the Minister——
Order. I have given the Deputy lots of latitude. I am calling Deputy Brennan for a final supplementary.
Would the Minister accept that the action taken by the commander of the patrol vessel is in line with what has been suggested by the Dutch Government, that their boats would not be accosted by patrol vessels if found fishing inside our limit?
We are getting into another area altogether now.
I am quite satisfied the Naval officer in question in the case of the foreign trawlers including the ten Dutch fishing vessels, acted correctly in accordance with his instructions.
According to the Minister's instructions?
I am getting on to another question. This has been more like a debate than Question Time.
It is one-sided.
Will the Minister comment on the rumour that is widely prevalent particularly in fishing circles, that the bringing in of the Dutch fleet and their prosecution was a preconceived stage-managed affair purely for the optics and was a perfunctory effort? This rumour is widely prevalent. It was a preconceived, contrived staged-managed affair done specifically for the optics.
I do not comment on rumour. I leave that to Fianna Fáil.
The Minister said in reply to Deputy Gallagher that it is reasonable before any attempt to arrest is made that a warning be given. Do I take it that this is the Government's position, that irrespective of where any foreign boats are found in our waters the first thing that is to be done is simply to warn them and that there will be no attempt to arrest them? Is that the Government's attitude now?
This is leading to argument.
I agree it is fair that a warning should be given and their attention should be directed to the fact that they are fishing illegally.
What if they are fishing 20 miles inside the area?
If it is quite evident that they are fishing 20 miles inside the area they should be arrested.
If they moved out would they have been arrested?
(Interruptions.)