Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Naval Service is the State's principal seagoing agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main day-to-day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks. I pay tribute to the significant security role the Naval Service routinely carries out. By its nature, often that security role goes unrecognised or unacknowledged, but it is vital to Ireland's national priorities and interests.

Regarding its sea fisheries protection role, the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction 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. A service level agreement is in place which underpins the relationship between the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority and the defence organisation. The agreement provides for the development of an annual control plan and agreed reporting and training arrangements. It also provides a forum for sharing information between parties and dealing with fisheries control and enforcement issues.

Departmental officials, members of the Naval Service and the Air Corps have met officials of the SFPA at formal and informal meetings throughout the year and enjoy a collaborative relationship on sea fishery protection matters. I am advised that, notwithstanding challenges encountered in the Naval Service this year, the projected number of patrol days in 2018 will be 98.2% of the target agreed with the SFPA. The SFPA has been kept fully informed of developments in sea fishery protection.

I am assured by military management that the Naval Service continues to carry out its maritime, security and defence operational responsibilities.

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