Vol. 400 No. 2
7 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Marine the number of Spanish registered vessels arrested between 1 June 1989 and 1 June 1990; the total amount of fines levied; if any of these vessels was guilty of repeat offences; if he has protested to the Spanish Ambassador on the recent attacks by Spanish fishing vessels on Irish trawlers off the south-west coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
28 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for the Marine the number of cases reported to his Department since the beginning of this year in which Irish trawlers were rammed or otherwise damaged by the actions of foreign registered fishing boats; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
(Limerick West): I wish to take Questions Nos. 7 and 28 together.
A total of 28 Spanish registered fishing vessels were arrested in the period 1 June 1989 to 1 June 1990. Fines totalling £203,507 have been levied in 11 of these cases. The remaining cases are still pending.Five of these arrests involve vessels which were previously arrested for fishery related offences.
I have written to my counterpart in Spain drawing his attention to the recent very serious incidents involving Spanish vessels off the Irish coast and I will be pursuing the matter further when I meet him shortly in Spain.
I have already explained to the House during a recent Adjournment debate the detailed steps taken to deal with recent incidents off the south coast. There have been four cases involving foreign vessels reported to my Department since the beginning of the year. All four incidents occurred outside Irish territorial waters. I would like to stress once again that I will not tolerate interference with Irish fishing vessels going about their legitimate pursuits in Irish waters. Notwithstanding current uncertainties surrounding international law as it applies on the high seas, I am satisfied that our ability and determination to protect the Irish fleet from intimidation and harassment have not been impaired. The Navy's active and heightened presence off the south coast will help ensure as far as possible the continuing safety of the Irish fleet. To date, I am pleased to note, the Navy's interventions have restored a significant degree of order to current fishing activities in the area.
My main aim at this juncture is to obtain the active support and co-operation of those member states directly involved with a view to bringing this deplorable intimidation to an end. In so far as the legal issues relating to these incidents are concerned, I would like to assure the House that such issues are being urgently reviewed in consultation with the Attorney General.
It would appear from the Minister's reply that Spanish fishermen believe it is worth while poaching in our waters. There have been repeat offences by some vessels and so far as I am aware — I am not too sure of the number — 28 arrests have been made. Does the Minister agree that there is a need for more vigilante in our coastal waters? I requested the Taoiseach to call in the Spanish Ambassador to put to him our serious concern regarding the activities of Spanish vessels off our coast. I know the Minister has written to his counterpart in Spain but does he not agree that the Spanish Ambassador should be brought in so that he can be informed of the seriousness with which this House regards attacks on Irish fishing vessels off our coast?
(Limerick West): The Deputy's suggestion can be considered. However I should point out that in recent months our Naval Services have mounted an intensive fisheries surveillance operation in this area. The subsequent speedy arrest by the Navy of a number of foreign vessels on fishery related offences allegedly involved in this interference and the civil actions which ensured have helped to diffuse a threatening situation and restored a considerable measure of order to current fishing activities in the area. There have been no further reported incidents of late and I have no doubt that the intensive follow-up operation of the Naval Service will continue.
I accept what the Minister has said regarding the Navy. I should like to put it on the record that I thoroughly agree with the efficient way in which they are carrying out their duties. Will the Minister treat as urgent the submissions which have been made to the Fisheries Council of the European Commission regarding surveillance equipment for our Navy?
(Limerick West): That matter will certainly be treated with urgency. I want to make it quite clear once again that I will not tolerate interference with Irish fishing vessels going about their legitimate pursuits in Irish waters. No resources will be spared in preventing such incidents and those involved will be well aware from the action taken to date of our determination to stamp out this practice altogether. The various State services concerned have been brought together at senior level by my Department to identify further practical measures which can be implemented.
