47 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Marine the use that is made of moneys which are collected by way of fines on foreign fishing vessels apprehended for illegal fishing within Irish waters; and the total amount collected by way of these fines in each of the years 1990 to 1995. [5594/96]

Fines imposed by the courts on the skippers of both foreign and Irish vessels convicted of illegal fishing offences are lodged to the Appropriation-in-Aid of the Department of the Marine Vote. In due course all moneys revert to the Central Fund.

The following table shows the total fines imposed on foreign vessels in the years 1990-95 which amount to £5.079 million.