asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has any proposals made to him by EEC sources in regard to plans for setting up an EEC navy to patrol the valuable fishing grounds of the Community, or the setting up of a European maritime authority to co-ordinate European fishery protection and maritine research work; and, if so, the action he has taken in regard to the matter.
Written Answers . - EEC Navy .
166.
: No such proposals have been made to me. However, recommendations, which would include common patrolling of Community waters by the fishery protection vessels of member states under a common emblem, were contained in a report drawn up on behalf of the Committee of Agriculture of the European Parliament in January 1978. This report also recommends that the Commission examine the possibility of forming a fleet of Community-built aircraft and ships for the purpose of patrolling the fishing zones of member states. The motion for a resolution contained in this report was adopted by the Parliament at its February session with some slight amendments.
Secondly, a more recent report dealing with Community financial participation in fisheries inspection and surveillance operations has also been drawn up on behalf of the Committee of Agriculture. This report, which is to be discussed by the Parliament later this week, recommends the establishment of a European maritime authority capable of co-ordinating the wide range of functions of a European coastguard authority including inspection and surveillance of fisheries and scientific fisheries research.
It is for the Commission of the European Communities to initiate proposals in regard to Community action for consideration by the Council of Ministers and they have not done so in regard to the matters referred to in the Deputy's question.