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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Oct 1992

Vol. 424 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Naval Service Strength.

John V. Farrelly

Ceist:

10 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to increase the number of ships, and the personnel, of the Naval Services in view of the increased responsibility in the area of fishery protection which the Naval Service will have to carry out in the future.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

29 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Defence the present complement of the Naval Service; the number of personnel and ships engaged in fishery protection; and the plans, if any, he has to increase these numbers.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 29 together.

The current strength of the Naval Service is 1,037 comprising 130 officers, 898 other ranks and 9 cadets. Recruitment to the Naval Service is kept under continuous review so as to enable the Naval Service to discharge their functions effectively. In 1992 to date, 6 cadets, 4 apprentices and 50 recruits have been recruited to the Naval Service.

The Naval Service have seven patrol vessels at their disposal which are adequate to present fishery surveillance duties and it is not intended to acquire additional vessels.

Will the Minister state the number of sorties against fishermen using illegal nets and the number of prosecutions that have taken place?

That is a separate question which would be more properly directed to the Minister for the Marine, who requests the assistance of the Naval Service.

That question has been asked by several Deputies and a satisfactory reply has not been given. Can the Minister compare the number in the Naval Service today with the number five years ago?

The number was 847 in 1987, while today it is 1,000.

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