Minister exaggerates role of naval patrols

WHILE watching Oireachtas Report on RTÉ (June 2) I was appalled to see Defence Minister Tony Killeen blatantly exaggerate the ability of the naval service even remotely to monitor the activities of all vessels in Irish waters.

The only vessels required to carry automatic identification systems are commercial vessels; some fishing and leisure craft carry them but are not required to do so.

The last two major drug seizures in Irish waters were from leisure craft, so the reduction of naval service patrol days is disgraceful.