Ceist:
68 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Defence the number of boardings made by Naval Service personnel within the past year arising from its fishery inspection role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13693/00]
Written Answers - Fishery Protection Patrols.
A total of 1,061 boardings were carried out by Naval Service personnel during the period 1 May 1999 to 30 April 2000.
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 on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to 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.
The Naval Service is equipped with a total of eight vessels comprising one helicopter carrying vessel, five offshore patrol vessels and two coastal patrol vessels. The new patrol vessel, theLE Róisín, was commissioned on 15 December 1999 and became operational immediately thereafter. I signed the contract for the provision of a second new ship for the Naval Service at the Naval Base, Haulbowline on 6 April 2000. The placing of the contract is a further step in the implementation of the Government's commitment to the modernisation of the service. The new vessel, which will replace LE Deirdre, will join the Naval Service fleet on fishery protection duties following delivery in the latter part of next year.