With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 21 together.
No report was received about any foreign trawlers fishing off the coast near Crosshaven during the periods mentioned in the questions. Reports that vessels were fishing off Ballycotton were received at 12.50 p.m. on Saturday the 30th November and at 1.30 p.m. on Wednesday the 4th December. The corvette LE Cliona proceeded to the area as quickly as possible in each instance and also passed through the area on Monday 2nd December but no illegal fishing was observed on any of these occasions. A corvette has been patrolling the coast between Cork Harbour and Wexford regularly since the start of the current herring fishing season and at present there are two corvettes patrolling that general area.
As indicated in my reply to a previous question on this subject on the 21st November last consideration is being given to the question of replacement of the corvettes and the suitability of different types of vessels for fishery patrol duties and also for naval purposes is being examined. Pending the solution of this problem the aim is to maintain the existing corvettes in service so that the Naval Service may be in a position to provide the best possible fishery protection with existing resources.
