asked the Minister for Defence whether Irish fishing boats may claim protection by the naval service against interference on the high seas by foreign fishing vessels, which obstruct the legitimate fishing operations of the Irish boats.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Protection of Fishing Boats.
Personnel of the Naval Service have no instructions to take action in respect of interference with Irish fishing boats by foreign fishing vessels, but I am sure that the patrols carried out by corvettes of the Naval Service act as a deterrent to the commission of any such acts of interference while the corvettes are present.
Because of the small number of corvettes available, however, it would not be possible to extend to individual Irish fishing boats the protection which these patrols afford against interference from foreign fishing vessels. The most effective remedy available to the owners of these boats is to furnish to the Fisheries Branch of the Department of Agriculture detailed reports of any such interference caused to them with a view to the presentation, through the proper channels, of complaints and, if warranted, of claims for compensation against the responsible foreign fishing vessel operators.
Will the Minister answer the specific point as to whether protection may be given on the high seas to our fishing boats?
The Deputy does not want us to go to war? Does the Deputy suggest that the Minister for Defence should authorise a corvette to open fire?
I did not suggest that.
When the fishing vessel refuses to halt, there is only one method——
Across the bows.
I have explained the method by which compensation can be got for damage, if it is available.
The question of compensation is a subsequent transaction. Does the Minister for Defence not recognise that these happenings have been so frequent in the past 12 months that our fishermen are becoming afraid to go out on the south and west coasts because of this interference?
We will give them all the protection we can but, as I have already said, there is a method by which this can be dealt with whenever this interference takes place There may be delay in getting the compensation but compensation has been paid frequently by the Governments.
I accept what the Minister says on compensation. Will he go into consultation with the Minister for Agriculture to ascertain whether it is not possible to incorporate some of the most suitable of our fishing vessels in his fishery protection service?
Again, you would want to arm the fishing vessels. There is only one method by which you can stop a raider when he wants to get away and that is by firing at him.
Question No. 12.