Michael Finucane
Question:96 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Defence the number of boardings made by the Naval Service to date in 1999 on boats suspected of illegal fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20543/99]
Written Answers. - Fisheries Protection.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:137 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the number of boardings made by the Naval Service to date in 1999 on those boats suspected of illegal fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20522/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 137 together.
The Naval Service carried out a total of 1,176 boardings up to the end of September, 1999. As a result of these boardings 26 vessels were detained and 157 were given written warnings for infringements of fishery legislation.
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 limits 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.