James Browne
Ceist:41. Deputy James Browne asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on Air Corps fishery patrols; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27752/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 26 June 2018
Ceisteanna (41)
Freagraí scríofa
The Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 established the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) as the competent Authority for securing efficient and effective enforcement of sea fisheries protection legislation and the sustainable exploitation of marine fish resources from the waters around Ireland.
To this end, the SFPA has a Service Level Agreement with my Department to secure efficient enforcement of sea-fisheries law through support provided by the Defence Forces. My Department agrees a control plan each year with the SFPA to deliver this support.
The Air Corps compliments the Naval Service patrols in Ireland's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) through its Maritime Patrol Squadron which carries out aerial surveillance of territorial waters using two CASA maritime patrol aircraft. These aircraft are equipped with surveillance and communication equipment. The Air Corps' CESSNA aircraft also provide in-shore patrols, while they remain in service, in support of fishery protection.
The two CASA aircraft have the second and third highest hours of utilisation in the World. One aircraft alone has accumulated a total of 20,400 hours since its introduction. The vast majority of those hours have been utilised in a fishery protection role. The intensity of the usage of the aircraft in this mission profile has enabled the Air Corps to gather a vast array of data concerning its territorial waters that has positively contributed to the on-going protection of Ireland’s waters.
A total of 227 patrols were undertaken in 2017 and to-date in 2018, the Air Corps has conducted over 70 fishery protection missions.
It should be acknowledged that both aircraft are coming near their end of life and the procurement of replacement aircraft is currently underway.
Questions Nos. 42 to 46, inclusive, answered orally.