asked the Minister for Defence the number of, condition of, and any other information regarding our national Naval fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The number of Naval vessels at present in service is seven of which details are as follows:

The question of obtaining new vessels is kept under continuous examination to ensure that the Naval Service has the capacity to carry out its functions.

Is the Minister satisfied that we have a sufficient level of fleet to protect our fishing resources in the light of the advent of Spain and Portugal to the EC? In view of events which seem to have taken place recently regarding some Irish fishery vessels fishing close to Rockall, is the Minister satisfied that the number of protection vessels is sufficient and are there proposals to increase the number of these vessels in 1986?

It was considered that the accession of Spain and Portugal might necessitate additional surveillance. In that connection the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Fisheries and Forestry are considering the question of financial aid for member states for the provision of these extra facilities. That matter is under active examination interdepartmentally and I hope it will be before the Government shortly with a view to having a submission made.

Would the Minister agree that the fishing vessels available to Spain and Portugal are some of the most modern in the world and would he agree also that money is available in Europe for the provision here of additional security vessels, that is, if we are prepared to avail of that money?

I do not know what moneys are available in Europe for this purpose but if this is the case we will be making an approach with a view to finding out whether extra moneys could be made available to us to enable us increase our surveillance capacity.