Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 5

Written Answers. - Territorial Waters.

Ivor Callely

Question:

17 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the vessels and support patrols which police all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the Irish zone; the concerns these patrols experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8476/99]

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

This is not a matter that comes within the remit of my office. However, I am informed by my colleague, Deputy Michael Smith, Minister for Defence, that the main day to day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. The service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limit of the exclusive economic zone. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed at all areas of Irish waters as necessary. Fishery protection patrols are complemented by assistance provided by the Air Corps in the form of aerial surveillance by the two CASA maritime patrol aircraft. Other roles carried out by the Naval Service, generally in support of other Government Departments, include search and rescue operations, aid to the civil power, drugs interdiction at sea, salmon fishery patrols and assistance with oil pollution control at sea.

The Naval Service is equipped with a total of seven vessels comprising one helicopter carrying vessel, four offshore patrol vessels and two coas tal patrol vessels. At present, six vessels are operational and one is undergoing refit. A new fishery protection patrol vessel is currently under construction and is due to be delivered in September 1999.

Following the Government's consideration of the Price Waterhouse review of the Air Corps and the Naval Service, a planning process is now in place to give effect to the Government's decision in the matter. There are two broad dimensions to this work. First, there is the need to address the military capability requirements to be comprehended within the White Paper on Defence which were not dealt with in the consultants' report. Second, there is a range of effectiveness and efficiency recommendations for implementation in order to ensure that the taxpayer obtains the best air and sea services possible. In this regard, the Chief of Staff has recently been instructed to initiate, in conjunction with the General Officer commanding the Air Corps and the Flag Officer commanding the Naval Service, the necessary process to address these matter. It is hoped that plans for the effectiveness and efficiency measures can be finalised early in the new year.