asked the Minister for Defence the proposals he has for increasing the size of the Naval Service with particular regard to the necessity to patrol this country's new fishing limits.

11.

asked the Minister for Defence what steps he proposes to take to ensure effective policing and protection against illegal fishing within this country's fishing limits.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together. It is Government policy to increase the State's fishery protection and patrolling capabilities having regard to the task involved and to available resources. A second purpose built vessel was launched on 26th September last and proposals for the acquisition of further vessels and aircraft are being considered.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary in a position to give a more elaborate and detailed response than that? With all due respect, we are not much wiser than we were before the question was asked. Has the Parliamentary Secretary no more substantial information in view of the discussions that are taking place at the moment?

The question asked was what proposals the Minister has for increasing the size of the Naval Service. I have told the Deputy that a second purpose built vessel was launched on 26th September and proposals for the acquisition of further vessels and aircraft are at present being considered.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary indicate how many further vessels will be purchased and what the balance between aircraft supervision and seacraft supervision might be?

The projected balance has not been ironed out yet. The situation, as I said, is that the specially designed vessel, the Emer, was launched on 26th September and will, it is anticipated, be delivered by the end of the year. Another vessel is being evaluated at present with a view to its possible purchase. In addition to that the Beech Super Kingair aircraft is being leased to assist in providing aerial surveillance capability for fishery protection vessels. It is a on-going situation.

Has the Parliamentary Secretary read reports about possible EEC aid for the purchase of additional vessels? If he has read these reports or if there is anything in his brief relating to the reports could he give the House any information under these headings?

In regard to the questions I have before me and the question of assistance from the EEC, I have read those reports. The possibility envisaged by those reports is being explored at present.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary base his reply on a 50-mile limit or a 200-mile limit? Does he maintain that two patrol vessels are adequate to look after a 50-mile limit? How many does he think should look after a 200-mile limit? Surely he must agree that two patrol vessels are not nearly sufficient to guard a 50-mile limit?

I accept that. I was asked about projections. I was not asked the number of vessels we have at the moment. There are actually six vessels in service at the moment.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is a firm in the country who have spotter planes with infra-red mechanism on them? I understand that these would be very suitable for looking after what we hope will be our new 50-mile limit. Have any discussions taken place on this type of thing?

That is a separate question.

One is tied in with the other.

I will bring the Deputy's information to the attention of the Minister.

How many of these vessels are on duty at the moment?

I could not tell the Deputy that.