Mary Harney
Question:43 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Defence if he intends to increase naval surveillance along the Southern and Western waters.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishery Protection.
The Naval Service provides a suitable level of fishery protection in all the areas for which it is responsible. Naval Service vessels are deployed in the most efficient way possible having regard to current and predicted fishing patterns.
Would the Minister indicate——
I call the Deputy who tabled the question first.
I give way to my colleague.
We have resolved the matter. Would the Minister indicate to the House the number of fishery patrol vessels that are at sea at any one time each week?
The Naval Service currently has a total of seven vessels comprising of one offshore vessel with helicopter facilities, four smaller offshore patrol vessels and two coastal patrol vessels. They are based at the naval base at Haulbowline and are operationally controlled from the Flag Office or Commanding Naval Service which is located at Defence Headquarters in Dublin. The current strength of the Naval Service as at 31 December 1992 is 1,021, comprising 128 officers, 879 other ranks and 14 cadets. This strength compares favourably with strengths in previous years.
If I could have heard what the Minister was saying I am sure it would all have been very interesting. It was not the reply to the question I put. I asked how many fishery patrol vessels were at sea, not tied up in Cork, at any one time in each week.
I do not have that information readily available. I would like to pay tribute to the Naval Service. I am sure the Deputy as a former Minister in this Department, would join with me in paying tribute to the work being done by the Naval Service. The suggestion made by the former Minister is incipient criticism of them and that is unacceptable.
The Minister is at sea.