asked the Minister for Defence if he will arrange for visits by the new Irish fishery protection vessel to EEC ports.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishery Protection Service.
5.
The question of arranging visits abroad by vessels of the Naval Service will be considered when circumstances permit.
6.
asked the Minister for Defence the number of vessels and the manpower of the fishery protection service; the number of arrests made by the service in each of the past two years; and if he regards the present service as adequate.
The Naval Service has four vessels all of which carry out fishery protection duties. The strength of the service on 2nd June, 1973, was 399 comprising 40 officers and 359 men.
In the year ended 31st May, 1972, three vessels were taken into port by the Naval Service under the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959. In the year ended 31st May, 1973, the number of such vessels taken into port under the Act was 7.
The Naval Service provides a satisfactory fishery protection service within the limits of its resources.