Vol. 489 No. 3
13 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the measures, if any, he has taken following the recent intimidation of Irish fishermen by Spanish fishing vessels off the coast of Ireland; the action taken by the fisheries protection fleet following the incidents; and the steps, if any, he intends to take to ensure this type of incident does not happen again. [7808/98]
As I advised the House recently, I am gravely concerned about the alleged incidents off the south west coast involving Irish fishing vessels and vessels registered in the United Kingdom. The specific incidents in question and the underlying causes of all such problems between fishermen operating in the same fishing grounds have a potentially serious safety dimension. Fishermen must be free to go about their business without unlawful interference. We cannot and will not accept attempts to harass or intimidate them by people who, it appears, show scant regard for the safety of their fellow fishermen.
I understand that in the most recent incidents the Naval Service dispatched vessels in response to reports of trouble to investigate what had occurred. I am advised also that the Naval Service is in the process of collecting statements from the skippers of the vessels concerned and that the information will be passed to the Department of Defence and my Department for assessment and any appropriate action. I can assure the House that all steps will be taken to ensure that any fishermen who acted recklessly face the full consequences of their actions.
As soon as we became aware of the alleged incidents and at my instruction, the Department took the matter up at high level with the relevant UK authorities to convey my deep concern and to pass on available information about the vessels allegedly involved. I also raised the matter in bilateral discussions at the Fisheries Council last week with both the UK and Spanish fisheries Ministers and stressed the need, in everyone's interest, for concerted action to tackle these difficulties. I urged both Ministers and the European Commission to facilitate and ensure co-operation at all levels to minimise and prevent such incidents.
I have reviewed the matter with my colleague, the Minister for Defence, who shares my concern. We have agreed that our two Departments, the Naval Service and the Air Corps should liaise closely in reviewing the implications and lessons from recent events and in ensuring the most effective deployment of our services in the task of preventing such incidents and responding to them if they occur again.
In a related development, my Department held a high level meeting with its French counterparts last week in response to a worrying pattern of reported clashes between Irish and French vessels. Both sides agreed on liaison mechanisms to respond to alleged incidents and to resolve conflicts as they arise. Most importantly, there was an agreement to work together with both fishing industries on codes of practice for fishermen, which will minimise the risk of future conflicts.
I also took the opportunity to raise formally at last week's Fisheries Council the need to tackle problems which arise between fishermen from various member states operating on the same fishing grounds with different gear types. This phenomenon is by no means confined to one or two fisheries but is quite widespread in Europe. Conflict avoidance measures, along the lines which we are pursuing bilaterally, are needed generally and I will continue to be at the forefront in pursuing these measures.
I welcome the fact that discussions are taking place between the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources and the Department of Defence. It is important that proper procedures are put in place because this is not the first time this type of incident occurred.
With regard to the discussions between the Minister and the UK and Spanish authorities — the vessels were registered in the UK for flags of convenience and their names are known — what type of action does the Minister anticipate will be taken against such vessels in view of what occurred? The Minister will agree that the action taken by the UK and Spanish authorities will indicate how serious they are about these matters and will, in itself, be a deterrent against such incidents in future.
The alleged incidents occurred outside Irish territorial waters, which raises questions about the power of the Naval Service to intervene. This matter will, therefore, be among the central issues to be addressed at the forthcoming meeting between my Department and the other relevant agencies. When the Naval Service has obtained statements from the skippers concerned, we will consider, in consultation with the Attorney General, what further action can be taken.
One of the principal difficulties which arose was getting to the site of the incident quickly when the first notification arrived. The boats were fishing in waters 40 or 50 miles from the coast. We want to find other measures to deal with this problem. I have some ideas, which I will discuss with the Naval Service and the Department of Defence, to ensure we can respond quickly to such incidents. It takes some time for a boat to steam to an area up to 50 miles away.
Does the Minister anticipate any action being taken by the Spanish and UK authorities? If they do not take action, it will encourage the bully boy tactics adopted by the Spaniards because they have larger, stronger, steel hulled vessels. It is unfair intimidation. Similar incidents occurred in the past and I am aware of the action the Minister has taken with regard to the UK and Spanish authorities.
One of the Minister's objectives, under the Programme for Government, is to secure a long-term ban on flags of convenience. However, tangible action must be taken by the UK and Spanish authorities to deter these practices. Otherwise, I fear for the future.
One practical measure which can be taken is the preparation of a code of practice. There are two aspects to this serious situation. The first is to deal with these incidents urgently when they occur, an aspect about which I am extremely concerned. The second is to develop codes of practice for fishermen from different countries who are fishing in the same waters and sometimes with different gear. Conflicts arise in such situations. That is why I had meetings with the Spanish and British Ministers and with the British authorities.
In this case, the British authorities are responsible because even though the vessel is Spanish it sails under the UK flag. That is a problem from their point of view because they must examine how they should exercise their controls in such situations. We will insist on such controls being exercised. The British authorities are anxious to be co-operative and helpful and to develop codes of practice. They are also anxious to act urgently when an incident occurs.
