asked the Minister for Defence in view of the fact that the European Council has granted only 46 million EUAs for fishery protection, compared with that claimed and deemed eligible for financial participation, if he will give the following information:— (a) if there will be any reduction in the scale of the programme of requirements outlined by him in his reply to parliamentary questions Nos. 13 and 14 on 26 March 1980, as a consequence of the reduction in funding from the EEC, (b) if the cost of LE Deirdre has been reclaimed from the EEC, if so, when, and if not, if a further vessel of this type will be acquired in view of the fact that four have been approved, (c) when a further three maritime aircraft will be acquired as indicated in the programme, the various types under consideration, and when a final choice will be made, in view of the time scale involved in acquiring such aircraft, (d) the reason no ships other than LE Ferdia have been leased, in view of the fact that finance has been made available for the lease of two ships, and (e) if finance granted for one part of the programme, such as the leasing of ships may be transferred to some other part of the programme, such as the purchase of aircraft or if this must be spent as granted for each part of the programme.

As I indicated in reply to Question Nos. 13 and 14 on 26 March 1980 the total cost of the programme submitted to the European Commission was £60.5 million. The Commission's decision was that £41.425 million of this was eligible for financial participation by the Community subject to the limit of £31.173 million approximately—46 million European units of account. The answers to the points raised by the Deputy are as follows: (a) A reduction in the scale of the programme submitted to the Commission and approved by them is not proposed. (b) LE Deirdre was delivered in 1972. Her capital cost, therefore, was not included in the £60.5 million mentioned and was not reclaimed. Three further vessels of this type have been acquired and are in service, namely, LE Emer, LE Aoife and LE Aisling. (c) The two Beech aircraft leased in 1977 and 1978 were initial steps pending the development of specially designed maritime aircraft. As soon as purpose designed aircraft suitable for fishery protection purposes are available the question of further acquisition will be considered. (d) No ships other than Ferdia were leased due to the delivery of new vessels in 1978 and 1979. (e) All eligible expenditure under the programme may be recovered subject to the limit set by Council decision of 25 July, 1978.

Will the Minister state how many vessels built since 1972 are in operation? I realise we are getting a grant towards the cost of the new vessels but what is the position with regard to grants towards the cost of maintenance and operation?

The Deputy may have misunderstood me. The vessel LE Deirdre was constructed before the time of EEC grants.

Are we getting a grant towards the maintenance of the other three vessels and towards the cost of manning them?

Not towards the personnel. I have not got information on the other aspect.

I think the answer is no in both cases. As the boats are engaged mainly in patrol work for the EEC, will the Minister seek a grant towards maintenance of the vessels and the cost of manning them? The Government should not have to pay the total operational costs. There are nine countries in the EEC.

As the Deputy is aware, money is available for the purchase of the vessels.

Is the Minister satisfied that that is enough?

I will have to consider the other aspect.

35.