Bernard Allen
Ceist:111 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has for the future role of the Naval Service in fishery protection in the waters around Ireland. [22727/98]
Written Answers. - Fisheries Protection.
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:140 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has for the future role of the Naval Service in fishery protection in the waters around Ireland. [22758/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 140 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. The 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 regularly and frequently 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. Other roles carried out by the Naval Service, generally in support of other Government Departments, include: search and rescue operations; aid to the civil power, drugs interdiction at sea; salmon fishery patrols and assistance with oil pollution control at sea.
The Naval Service is equipped with a total of seven vessels comprising one helicopter carrying vessel, four offshore patrol vessels and two coastal patrol vessels. Six vessels are currently operational and one is undergoing refit. In December 1977 a contract was placed for the supply of a new fishery protection patrol vessel which is due to be delivered in September 1999.
As part of the Defence Forces review implementation plan, 1996-8, the Government established a steering group to review the operations of the Air Corps and the Naval Service. Price Waterhouse management consultants were appointed to carry out a detailed review of both services. The report of the consultants was published in July 1998. The military authorities have been asked to prepare an implementation plan to give effect to the recommendations contained in the report.