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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 8 Apr 1997

Vol. 477 No. 2

Written Answers - Naval Patrol Vessels.

Joe Walsh

Ceist:

331 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself that the Navy has sufficient patrol vessels for fishery control duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9127/97]

At present the Naval Service is equipped with a total of seven vessels comprising one helicopter carrying patrol vessel, four off shore patrol vessels and two coastal patrol vessels. The Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the exclusive economic zone. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed at all areas of Irish waters as necessary. Fishery protection patrols are complemented by assistance provided by the Air Corps in the form of aerial surveillance by the two CASA maritime patrol aircraft.

As I outlined previously to the House, the EU has introduced a five year programme of financial aid towards the cost of measures to enforce the Common Fisheries Policy. Approximately £1.35 million was committed by the Department on EU-funded projects in 1996. The position in relation to the programme for 1997 is that Ireland's submission provides for a downpayment on an additional naval patrol vessel. Requests for proposals for the supply of an additional vessel were advertised in the official journal of the European Community. The proposals received are currently being assessed with a view to developing a shortlist of suitable tenderers who will be invited to submit definitive tenders for the supply of the vessel. It is anticipated that the Department will be in a position to place a contract in the latter half of this year.

Pending the implementation of the five year programme the Naval Service will continue to carry out its fishery protection duties using the existing seven patrol vessels. Two of these vessels were refurbished in recent years and another is currently undergoing a major overhaul to replace and refurbish obsolete or deteriorated equipment and extend its operational life. A further vessel will undergo similar refurbishment commencing in August next. The question of the resources required by the Naval Service to enable it to fulfil its fishery protection role is kept under continual review.
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