asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consider the introduction of proposals for legislation with a view to imposing proper penalties on foreign trawlers who infringe upon the fishing grounds within territorial waters as the penalties at present are so inadequate as to make the position ridiculous.

Section 3 of the Sea Fisheries (Protection) Act, 1933, as amended by Section 4 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1949, provides, in respect of the offence of fishing on the part of a foreign fishing vessel within the exclusive fishery limits of the State, that a fine not exceeding £50 may be imposed for a first offence and a fine not exceeding £100 for a second or any subsequent offence, andin addition the fishing gear and fish on board the fishing vessel shall be forfeited. I consider that these provisions provide the courts with power to impose adequate penalties. I am, however, keeping the matter under review and will, if more severe penalties seem necessary, put forward proposals to have the enactments referred to suitably amended.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that the general situation in the fishing waters around the coast is that there is not sufficient detection? The fishermen feel that even on detection there is a too easy evasion of penalties. Does the Parliamentary Secretary not think that the time has now arrived to consider in principle an increase in the three mile limit as well as the question of penalties applicable to people found raiding Irish fish close to the Irish shore?

I am sure the Deputy will realise that if you extend the area to be protected the difficulties of protection are thereby increased.

Half a dozen helicopters would do the whole thing.

I am not satisfied there has been evasion in the matter of the application of penalties. I might indicate that quite recently an offending skipper was penalised to the extent of £500 for fishing off the Donegal coast.