§ Lord Carterasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are satisfied that the Irish Fishery Protection fleet has sufficient resources to protect British fishing boats operating in Irish waters in the Irish Box and, if so, what it consists of.
The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Howe)The Republic of Ireland has a fisheries protection fleet of seven vessels, which operate under the command of the Irish navy. These undertake the enforcement of EU fisheries legislation within Irish Fishery Limits but are not responsible for the protection of British fishing vessels.