Patrol coverage and EC funding
Connaughton challenged the adequacy of patrol coverage against illegal imports and foreign fishing, and asked about seeking EC funding. Daly said Community funds had helped provide vessels including Eithne and maintained that available resources adequately protected fisheries.
I am calling Deputy Paul Connaughton and Deputy Pattison and then I am going on to deal with another question.
Comment on this
In regard to the naval surveillance vessels, is it true that several fishermen do not see one of those patrol vessels for three weeks? Can the Minister honestly tell the House that, as far as the illegal importation of guns and drugs is concerned and foreign fishery boats fishing off our shores, we can even remotely be in a position to have a good surveillance service? How sincere are we in our efforts to get EC funding to change the matter because not alone is this a problem for us——
Comment on this
As the record shows, we have already received substantial funding from Community funds for this type of surveillance equipment and that is what made it possible to purchase the Eithne and other vessels. I am satisfied that, within the resources and the equipment available to us, there is an adequate level of service to protect our fisheries.