Vol. 512 No. 4
43 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to increase the strength of the Army, Air Corps or Naval Service in the foreseeable future with particular reference to coastal surveillance in the context of fisheries protection and the prevention of drug trafficking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26239/99]
98 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Defence the number of ships in the Naval Service; the number at sea at any given time; the proposals, if any he has to ensure the recruitment of additional personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26194/99]
110 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself on the adequacy of the Naval Service in view of the competing demands of fisheries protection and the protection of coasts against drug trafficking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26475/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 98 and 110 together.
The ongoing recruitment campaign for enlistment in the Defence Forces, which I have approved, is designed to address any shortfalls in personnel numbers. I have already provided the House with specific details on this in the reply to a question earlier this afternoon.
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.
Responsibility for the prevention of the illegal importation of drugs rests primarily with the Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners. During the course of routine patrols Naval Service vessels may be deployed to anti-drug smuggling operations. Naval Service vessels are specifically tasked from time to time to carry out drug search and interdiction operations in aid of the civil authorities.
The Naval Service is equipped with a total of seven vessels comprising one helicopter carrying vessel, four offshore patrol vessels and two coastal patrol vessels. At any given time there would generally be three or four vessels on patrol. A new fishery protection patrol vessel, the LE Roisin, will be commissioned on Wednesday, 15 December 1999 and will become operational thereafter. Consideration is also being given to the question of the purchase of another fishery protection vessel similar to the LE Roisin as a replacement for the LE Deirdre, which has completed almost 28 years in service.
Existing resources enable the Naval Service to respond effectively to tasks involving fisheries protection and the prevention of illegal drug importation.
