Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There seems to be a misunderstanding on this issue. The White Paper on Defence states that sea fisheries is a primary day-to-day task of the Naval Service. Dr. Mellett has indicated on more than one occasion that it is not and that it is very far down the list. We need clarity on that. The Naval Service signed up to the service-level agreement and agreed those targets. It is the agreement and those targets that are being breached. Dr. Mellett stated that the Naval Service is doing it differently now. If that is the case, the people with whom it signed the agreement should know that. That is the point that needs to be clarified. I am astounded that Dr. Mellett has never heard of an able seaman PQ.