Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. The Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 establishes 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. This is intended 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. This 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 in Haulbowline 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 at this stage to anticipate in detail the implications of the UK referendum, including the impact on fishery protection requirements.

However, the Deputy may be assured the Department, the Naval Service and the Air Corps are working closely with the SFPA on Brexit. We will also liaise closely with the European Fisheries Control Agency and with other member states, as appropriate.

The 2015 White Paper on Defence sets out the investment priorities for the Defence Forces for the next decade. There has been significant investment in new Naval Service patrol vessels over recent years, with the commissioning of the LÉ Samuel Beckettin 2014, LÉ James Joyce in 2015 and the LÉ William Butler Yeatsin 2016. A contract for an additional sister ship was placed in June 2016 at a cost of €54.3 million, bringing investment in the new ships programme to over €250 million since 2010. This fourth ship is scheduled for delivery in mid-2018. The White Paper on Defence also provides for further Naval Service vessels and the replacement of the Air Corps' two CASA 235s maritime patrol aircraft.

These measures will ensure the Naval Service and the Air Corps are well positioned to meet any requirements that may emerge in the coming period, including in their fishery protection roles.

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