Brendan Howlin
Question:84 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his Department has the facilities and personnel to instruct fishermen in the use of the vessel monitoring system in view of the requirement that all fishing vessels above 20 meters must have this system since 1 January 2000; the reason a grant of only 50% is proposed for the system costing £4,000 to install and a further £4,000 per year for maintenance and call charges in contrast with other European coun tries which provide 100% state funding for this purpose; if he will provide 100% funding in view of the fact that the system will obviate the need for large numbers of patrol vessels at sea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6956/00]