Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jursidiction Act 2006 established the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, SFPA, as the competent authority for securing efficient and effective enforcement of sea fisheries protection legislation and the sustainable exploitation of marine fish resources from the waters around Ireland.

To this end, the SFPA has a service-level agreement with the Department of Defence to ensure efficient enforcement of sea-fisheries law at sea through the support provided by the Naval Service and the Air Corps. In accordance with this agreement, an annual control plan is agreed between the parties that sets out the strategy for achieving sea-fisheries control targets each year. The Naval Service is also responsible for the operation of the fisheries monitoring centre, which is located at the naval base and is operated by the Naval Service on a 24-7 basis.

The consequences of Brexit will depend on the manner in which, and under what circumstances, the United Kingdom leaves the European Union. It is, therefore, premature to anticipate the detailed implications of the UK referendum, including any possible impact on fishery protection requirements, at this stage.

However, the Deputy may be assured that the Department, the Naval Service and the Air Corps will work closely with the SFPA on how any new arrangements are enforced and will liaise closely with the European Fisheries Control Agency and with other member states as appropriate.

The Naval Service and Air Corps are well positioned to meet any new requirements that may emerge, including in their fishery protection roles.

The Deputy will be aware that the Naval Service ship replacement programme has seen the delivery of three new offshore patrols vessels in the past three years with a further ship to be delivered in early 2018. In addition, the White Paper on Defence from 2015 provides that the two Air Corps CASA 235 aircraft, which are tasked with carrying out maritime air patrol surveillance, will be replaced when necessary. These measures will ensure the Naval Service and the Air Corps have the capacity to continue and develop their fishery protection and other important roles in the maritime domain.

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