asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the number of Spanish fishing vessels found to be fishing illegally in Irish waters during 1982, 1983 and 1984 to date; the total amount each vessel was fined; and the amount of fines which are outstanding.

I propose to circulate a statement giving the information requested by the Deputy.

Following is the statement:

Spanish Fishing Vessels convicted of illegal fishing, 1982

As this matter is of such a serious nature, if the tabular statement is not too long we should have the facts. If we cannot have the individual particulars, we should have the aggregate.

There are three foolscap pages in the statement.

Could we have the amount of the fines outstanding?

The Chair takes the view that as this is a statistical question, if it is to be answered by a tabular statement, then it should be answered by one.

There are three cases awiting a hearing in the courts and a similar case against an Irish registered ex-Spanish vessel is also pending. That seems to be the total outstanding.

Is the Minister satisfied that the Spanish fishery vessels owners-cum-skippers have paid all the fines by way of hard cash to the Department or the State?

My information is that there is no problem as regards the fines. Once the fine is imposed there is no problem in getting it. My information from the files is that all fines are paid.

Are the fines paid by the way of hard cash, or gear which is confiscated and held? Would the Minister accept that the book value of the gear is vastly different from its actual value?

I am afraid that I have not got that information but I will passs it on to the Deputy. My understanding is that the fines are paid with hard cash and gear. The file does not state whether all fines have been paid in cash. However, I shall pass on that information to the Deputy.

The Minister has just told us what I believe to be the case — that gear is used as part payment. The book value of this gear is well below the actual value. We are not obtaining the total fines which are imposed by our courts. In future the Minister must ensure that all these fines are paid in hard cash. If not, no doubt the Minister well notify me.

That is a separate question

I shall follow up what the Deputy has said and communicate with him in that regard.

Tá Ceist 8 á chur siar go dtí an Céadaoin seo chugainn. Question No. 8 is postponed until next Wednesday.