Dr. Mark Mellett:

I give advice to Government across a range of areas in the delivery of defence and the security of Government services. The fundamental role of the Defence Forces is the delivery of defence services and this is our raison d'être. We are the guarantors of sovereignty in the first instance and second to that is security. Third are Government services, such as fisheries protection and services for Departments. I have to look at broader issues than just the arrangements with Government agencies. I was satisfied, and remain so, that the Defence Forces can continue to deliver on their commitments to the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority. There is a review mechanism and I am delighted that meetings have taken place to look at how the Naval Service is delivering on its commitments under the service level agreement. It has not, however, been brought to my attention that there is an issue with, or any inability to meet, the commitments we have with the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority.