Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 31 Mar 1998

Vol. 489 No. 3

Written Answers. - Fishing Fleet Protection.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

80 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if the skippers of any Spanish fishing vessels have been charged with unlawful killing or ending of life on the high seas and Irish territorial waters or for ramming Irish boats; the number of similar cases that have been reported in recent years; the results of inquiries into these reported incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8097/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

On 9 March 1997 a collision involving the Irish fishing vessel Exodus and the UK registered Spanish fishing vessel Sea Horse resulted in a tragic loss of life.

Marine surveyors of my Department conducted a preliminary investigation into the incident under section 465 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. As a result of evidence gathered in the course of this inquiry, the skipper of theSea Horse was charged with offences under the Collision Regulations (Ships and Watercraft of the Water) Order, 1984 (S.I. No. 29 of 1984), as amended.

At Bantry District Court on Friday, 11 April 1997 the skipper pleaded guilty to the charge that he failed to ensure that his vessel, while under way, kept out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing. The defendant was fined £750 and ordered to pay £250 costs.

Any incidents of threatening or unsafe behaviour at sea are a matter of serious concern. I have conveyed my concerns directly in bilateral discussions to the UK and Spanish Ministers about recent incidents, and have urged their active co-operation in preventing reckless behaviour which has such serious safety dimensions. In particular, I am anxious that the relevant authorities work with us to encourage conflict avoidance measures and to ensure that there are appropriate channels for the formal reporting of follow-up and response to such incidents when they arise. A formal reporting mechanism, as opposed to anecdotal reporting which is often the case, will enable the authorities to quantify, log and follow up on all such incidents.