asked the Minister for Fisheries if he has the necessary powers to collect fines imposed on foreign trawlers for illegal fishing, and, if not, when does he propose to acquire the necessary powers.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ILLEGAL FISHING—COLLECTION OF FINES.
I have no power to collect fines outside the jurisdiction of An Saorstát. The implications of this legal position, and the question of possible remedies, are under the consideration of the Government's legal advisers.
It seems to us that there is a waste of public money in patrolling this coast for the purpose of preventing illegal fishing when the Minister has no power to collect the fines that are imposed on foreign trawlers. He cannot protect the Irish fishermen from these trawlers, and it is only a waste of public money.
The Deputy is making a mistake as between territorial waters and exterritorial waters.