asked the Minister for Defence whether, in view of the damage to the Wexford fisheries caused by the operation of foreign trawlers, he will direct the Fishery Patrol Service to increase defence activity along the Wexford coast.

Frequent patrols are carried out along the Wexford coast by Naval Service vessels and an increase in the number of patrols is not contemplated at present. I am informed that whilst foreign fishing trawlers operate in the area, they seldom enter territorial waters.