Sir, - We are horrified and shocked at the obvious downgrading of the Navy's role in the nation's defence as spelt out in the White Paper on Defence.
Ireland has a real and active border of 3,000 miles of coastline. The area of Ireland's exclusive economic zone out to 200 miles is equal to 10 times her land area. The Navy's competence in the capture of drugs is vital and has been well documented and must be reinforced.
The Navy provides a search and rescue service second to none. It assists vessels in distress whether through weather conditions, fouled propellers, sinking etc. It protects our very valuable fish resource. Evidence of fraudulent practices indicates that the value of fish taken from Irish waters exceeds £2 billion per annum. With very limited resources, the Navy has been proven to be the most efficient service at curbing these illegal practices. Ireland has a mere one vessel per 13,000 square miles of economic zone - the lowest in Western Europe.
The lowering of fish quotas will lead to increased competition among fleets on our fishing grounds. Intimidation of Irish fishing vessels by foreign fishing vessels have been all too common. It is estimated that the Navy's presence at sea is the equivalent of 2 squad cars for the whole of Ireland.
Price Waterhouse Consultants extensively and intensively reviewed our Navy's operations, but this review has been totally dismissed, claims Captain Peadar McElhinney, recently retired after 41 years of distinguished service in the Irish Navy. The percentage of total Defence Force numbers of 11,500 allocated to the Navy is a mere 10 per cent or approximately 1,100 personnel to fulfil these functions on our real active borders for 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. In an island State, this allocation is disproportionate to the tasks required.
The White Paper must be substantially revised immediately. Fianna Fail, when in opposition, in its policy statement, "Sea of Change", promised to remedy this. We are waiting for delivery of this promise.
Before we patrol other nations' defence problems, surely we should secure our home base and borders first. - Yours, etc.,
T M Hassett, Secretary, Donal O'Driscoll, Chairman, Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation Ltd., Castletownbere, Co Cork.