asked the Minister for Defence how long the decision of the Government in connection with the establishment, as part of the naval service, of an Irish hydrographic service will be deferred; if staff will now be recruited so that preliminary work may be undertaken; and if he will make a statement as to why a decision has had to be deferred.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Hydrographic Service.
47.
To implement the decision to establish a hydrographic service as part of the Naval Service it would be necessary, among other things, to acquire a suitable vessel. No action towards acquiring such a vessel has so far been initiated because it has been necessary for some time to give priority to providing the Naval Service with suitable vessels, in replacement of the corvettes, having regard particularly to the fishery protection role of the service. There is also at present some difficulty in recruiting sufficient officers to meet current commitments and until this situation is resolved it would not be possible for the service to undertake the organisation and control of hydrographic work.
In the circumstances mentioned I cannot say at this stage when it may be possible to establish a hydrographic service.
Would the Minister not agree that the recently purchased minesweepers could be adapted for this type of work?
Apart altogether from that consideration, we are still short of personnel for the Naval Service and for fishery protection.
But these boats could be adapted for that work.
They are needed for fishery protection work. We are endeavouring to add to the number.