The world's largest fishing vessel, the Irish owned Atlantic Dawn, has arrived in Dublin.
The fifty million pound trawler is on its maiden voyage from Kristiansund in Norway.
Owner Kevin McHugh explains that the Atlantic Dawn will be used only to fish outside European waters and will not interfere with fishing in Irish waters.
Atlantic Dawn is 144 metres long and can hold up to seven thousand tonnes of frozen catch. That's enough fish to feed 18 million people.
Frank Fahey, Minister for Fisheries explains that Atlantic Dawn will join a number of foreign fishing boats off the coast of West Africa, a first for an Irish fishing vessel. Mr Fahey is hopeful that Ireland can develop an international fishing sector in cooperation with the European Commission not just off Africa but in other international waters.
Atlantic Dawn will leave Dublin on a 20 hour journey to its official home in Killybegs in County Donegal where an official christening ceremony will take place.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 31 August 2000. The reporter is Teresa Mannion.
