Written Questions. - Naval Service.
Liz O'Donnell
Ceist:
12
Ms O'Donnell
asked the
Minister for Defence
if he will give an assurance that no reduction will take place in the Naval Force arising out of the recent surveillance conducted by the Naval Services off the south coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17533/95]
Kathleen Lynch
Ceist:
20
Kathleen Lynch
asked the
Minister for Defence
his additional recruitment proposals for the Naval Service in the context of the new EU fishery surveillance package; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17517/95]
Ivor Callely
Ceist:
70
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Defence
the additional support, if any, he intends to give the Naval Service to assist in their duties, in particular in combating the importation of illegal drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17384/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 20 and 70 together.
The main day to day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union.
With the new arrangements on fishery control measures arising in 1996 the workload of the Naval Service will increase. These new measures will include the requirement for all fishing vessels to report to the Irish authorities before they enter or exit the Irish zone. In this regard, I am committed to ensuring that sufficient resources are in place to enable the Naval Service deal with these additional demands and that a more sophisticated and comprehensive fisheries control and surveillance system is established in Ireland.
As the Deputies may be aware, agreement was reached at the Fisheries Council on 26 October 1995 on a new regulation which will provide aid of up to 205 million ECU for fisheries protection in the Community over the period 1996 to 2000. In accordance with the provisions of the new regulation, proposals for a five year programme of expenditure were submitted by Ireland to the Commission on 15 November 1995. This programme is subject to the approval of the Government.
I should also point out that these proposals are subject to the agreement of the Commission and I will be in a position to tell the House the full extent of the planned expenditure when the proposals have been agreed. I can confirm, however, that under the new programme we are proposing the provision of an additional ship for the Naval Service which, it is expected, will enter service in 1998. Additionally, under the new regulation, Ireland receives special recognition of its considerable protection requirements and is guaranteed to receive 15 million ECU, about IR£12.3 million at current rates, in aid, specifically to fund the operational needs of the protection service.
On the question of manpower, I can say that recruitment to the Naval Service is kept under continuous review within the Department. The Department is currently in the process of enlisting 50 recruits for the Naval Service, 44 have already taken up duty and the remainder are expected to be enlisted shortly at which stage the strength of the Naval Service will be at its highest ever level. If a commitment from the EU for funding towards an additional ship for the Naval Service is secured then the question of additional recruitment to the Naval Service will be reviewed.
As regards anti-drug surveillance the position is that responsibility for prevention of the illegal importation of drugs rests primarily with the Revenue Commissioners and the Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, including the Naval Service, respond to requests from the civil authorities for assistance, including assistance in combating the illegal importation of drugs, and they will continue to do so.
Existing resources have enabled the Naval Service to respond effectively to such requests. The recent Government decision on proposals to improve law enforcement in relation to drugs including the establishment of a joint task force involving the Garda, the Customs Service and the Naval Service will help to maximise the effective use of Naval Service resources in combating the illegal importation of drugs. The designation of some Naval Service personnel as enforcement officers under the Criminal Justice Act, 1994 will also increase the role and effectiveness of the Naval Service in this area. The question of whether additional resources are required will be kept under review as these proposals are implemented.
I am sure that Deputies would like to join me in congratulating the Naval Service and the other agencies involved in the successful operation which culminated in the recent seizure of drugs.
