Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 6

Adjournment Debate. - Mizen Head Fishing Incident.

Mr. Sheehan

I thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for giving me the opportunity to raise with the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources this morning's gross act of attempted piracy by three Spanish steel-hulled super fishing vessels operating under a flag of convenience and registered in Britain on four Irish fishing vessels 40 miles off Mizen Head. I understand that those four Irish fishing vessels were seriously threatened and that attempts were made by the marauding Spanish fleet to seriously endanger the lives of the personnel aboard those Irish trawlers.

I am told that two of those Spanish vessels are registered under a flag of convenience at Milfordhaven docks and the other Spanish vessel is registered under a flag of convenience in Aberdeen. I am led to believe that one of the Milfordhaven registered vessels is the Sliebech II and that the Scottish registered vessel is the Glen-Elg.

The situation was so tense that the Irish fishing vessels had to quickly haul up their nets and withdraw from the fishing area concerned. This incident, I understand, was transmitted to the Irish naval patrol boat which was anchored in the safe waters of Bere Haven Sound. It is alleged the naval patrol boat did not go to the assistance to the Irish fishing vessels which were being seriously threatened by the Spanish vessels. I understand the excuse given by the fishery patrol vessel was that it did not know the exact area where the incident occurred, but I have now received information that the fishery patrol vessel received the exact co-ordinates with the message which was relayed to it by the stricken Irish fishing vessels concerned.

What action has the Minister taken on the matter? Has he protested to the Spanish Government, through its Ambassador in Dublin? Will he outline the reason the Irish naval patrol vessel did not go to the assistance of the Irish trawlers in their hour of need?

This is not the first time such incidents involving the Spanish fishing fleet have occurred on the high seas. I wish to bring to the attention of the Minister that those Spanish fishing vessels flying flags of convenience are registered in the same office in Milfordhaven docks as the Sea Horse, the Spanish trawler registered under a flag of convenience which was responsible for the fatal tragedy with the Danny Boy almost 12 weeks ago to the day.

We must treat this matter seriously and protest in the strongest possible manner against the outrageous incidents which are being provoked by the bully-boy tactics of the Spanish fishing vessels against the Irish fleet. The lives of Irish fishermen are at risk if such action is allowed continue, and I call on the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, to take immediate steps to stop these bully-boy tactics by the Spanish fishing fleet. If it is necessary to take a case to the European Court of Human Rights, the Minister ought to do so to ensure that the lives of Irish fishermen are protected and that Irish fishermen are given the right to fish in the waters where their forefathers fished since the foundation of the State.

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

I share the Deputy's concern. It goes without saying that the legitimate fishing activities of Irish boats or, indeed, any fishing boats must not be unlawfully impeded or their safety threatened. The alleged incident this morning most certainly gives rise to serious concerns.

I have been informed of an incident involving three Irish fishing vessels and two vessels registered in the UK which occurred this morning some 40 miles off Mizen Head. The information currently available to me is that the Irish fishermen concerned are alleging harassment, and interference with their gear, by the UK registered vessels. I have directed the Department to investigate the incident urgently and comprehensively in consultation with the Naval Service.

I understand that, as the incident was happening, a crew member of one of the Irish vessels contacted a family member in Castletownbere. This person made contact with the naval vessel LE Emer which was anchored near Castletownbere. The LE Emer relayed this report of the incident to the naval authorities, who then dispatched the LE Ashling to investigate the incident.

While I am not in a position to comment on naval operational matters, which are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Defence, I understand that the LE Emer had been tasked to other duties and could not therefore have been sent to the scene.

My Department became aware of the incident through a family member of the skipper of one of the Irish vessels who advised the Department's sea fisheries officer in Castletownbere this morning. The sea fisheries officer immediately contacted the Naval Service, which was already aware of the matter through the earlier contacts made with the LE Emer.

I wish to make it clear that I share Deputy Sheehan's serious concern about incidents of this nature and deplore them. Fishermen must be able to go about their business without being subjected to interference, harassment or intimidation, and all possible steps must be taken to ensure that such behaviour, which poses a clear threat both to lives and livelihoods, does not occur. Those who work at sea are exposed to enough risks without having to endure the strong arm tactics of those who apparently act without any concern or consideration for their fellow fishermen.

I reiterate, that I am fully committed to ensuring the most effective possible surveillance and control of the activities of all fishing vessels in these waters. My Department will continue to work closely with the Department of Defence and the Naval Service on sea fisheries protection, and will review in conjunction with colleagues the implications and lessons from today's alleged incident. The first priority is to establish quickly the full details of what happened. As the vessels which are alleged to have interfered with the Irish vessels are registered in the UK, my Department has made official contact at high level with the relevant UK authorities to convey my serious concerns. As soon as I receive a full and comprehensive report on the alleged incident, I will take the matter up in strong terms with my UK counterpart. I will press for his active co-operation in preventing any recurrence of totally unacceptable incidents of this nature.

There have also been recent reports of clashes between Irish and French vessels off the south-east coast. I am also having these investigated and the Department is meeting the French authorities shortly to review the scope for codes of practice and other practical measures to prevent unwelcome incidents As I previously stated in the House, there are particular enforcement difficulties associated with the activities of flagships in Irish waters. Other member states must shoulder their legal responsibilities in this regard. I will continue to push the UK Presidency and the Commission to quickly deliver tangible improvements in terms of co-operation on enforcement and tougher control measures.

I assure the Deputy that this incident will be fully investigated as a matter of priority. I will seek to ensure that those responsible for any wrongdoing face the full consequences of their actions.