My priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While 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, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks including a significant security role. By its nature, often that security role goes unrecognised or unacknowledged, but it is vital to Ireland's national priorities and interests.
In relation to its sea-fishery protection role, the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 established the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) as the competent Authority for securing efficient and effective enforcement of sea fisheries protection legislation and the sustainable exploitation of marine fish resources from the waters around Ireland. A Service Level Agreement is in place which underpins the relationship between the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Defence Organisation. This Agreement provides for the development of an Annual Control Plan and for agreed reporting and training arrangements. The agreement also provides a forum for sharing information between parties and for dealing with fishery control and enforcement issues.
As Minister with responsibility for Defence, I regularly speak with the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. I have spoken with him about the staffing challenges faced by the Naval Service at present. While my Department's Annual Report for 2018 is not finalised yet, I am advised by the Military Authorities that the Naval Service conducted 1,076 fishery protection patrol days in 2018 which is 99% of the target agreed with the SFPA.
My officials, members of the Naval Service and the Air Corps, continue to meet with officials of the SFPA at formal and informal meetings and enjoy a good collaborative working relationship in relation to sea-fishery protection matters. This close working relationship will continue in 2019.
