I thank the Minister of State at the Department of the Marine for coming into the House to respond to the concern of the fishing industry off the south west coast in relation to the inadequacy of fishing patrols, in particular the position in regard to the modus operandi of flagships in the region. There is an excellent fishing industry in that peninsular area such as that at Castletownbere, the Bantry mussels industry, Union Hall, its processing facility in Skibbereen, Schull, Courtmacsherry and Kinsale. It is vital that it be adequately supported and protected.
However, 150 flagships are operating off that coast, 12 of which are registered in Ireland, as I was informed in reply to a parliamentary question last week. In Question No. 340 on 8 April, I inquired about the volume of the catch and was informed that the information currently available related to direct landings into Ireland. The Minister informed me that his Department was currently compiling information in regard to landings into other member states and said he would communicate with me as soon as possible. I have not yet received a response from his Department, which is not good enough.
Again in reply to a parliamentary question I was informed by the Department of the Marine that the average age of vessels in our fishing fleet is just over 24 years — they compete with some 150 flagships — that we have a total of only seven vessels patrolling the area of which one is undergoing a major overhaul to replace and refurbish obsolete and deteriorated equipment to extend its operational life and another will undergo similar refurbishment commencing in August next. In other words, we have a fishing industry that is inadequately equipped and supported, in terms of patrols to protect our fleet and ensure that the rammings and terrorisation perpetrated by these flagships off our south west coast is stamped out once and for all.
Regrettably, a fisherman, Danny Boy O'Driscoll, lost his life in one of those rammings a few weeks ago, the circumstances of which remain unclear. We know that a British registered, 32 metre Spanish longliner called The Sea Horse collided with the late Mr. O'Driscoll's 16 metre Exodus. The Spanish vessel was not licensed to fish in that area and had a record of two previous detentions by our Navel Service in Irish waters.
I express my sympathy to the O'Driscoll family, to the entire fishing industry and those involved in it off our south west coast. I want the Minister of State to give me a categoric assurance that there will be adequate patrol vessels and that his Department will give a serious commitment to ensuring that this valuable fishing resource is protected. Regrettably, yesterday's agreement in which the Minister acquiesced does not augur well for the future. I want the report which was promised following the investigation of this recent collision to be made publicly available. To date nothing has been seen of the report on the loss of the Carrickatine or the Jenalisa incident which took place a couple of years ago.
The industry is less than impressed with the support it is receiving. I look forward to a positive response from the Minister of State.