asked the Minister for Defence the position as regards the building of the new Asgard; and if it will be ready to compete in the tall ships race in 1976 as was originally planned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - New Asgard.
18.
As indicated in reply to a previous question last month, the sail training committee decided to make inquiries from appropriate independent specialists about certain aspects of the plans before tenders for the construction of the proposed new sail training vessel were invited. The inquiries have been completed and, at a meeting before Christmas, the committee decided that tenders should be sought as soon as possible for the construction of the vessel which, as recently announced, the Government has decided will be named "Brendan". Such tenders will be sought by my Department at a very early date.
It may not be possible to have "Brendan" completed in time to compete in the transatlantic race of the Sail Training Association which is due to commence in May, 1976. A recent survey of "Asgard" has revealed that very extensive repairs would have to be carried out if that vessel were to be used again for sail training. The sail training committee is, therefore, considering the question of getting another vessel to continue such training, pending the building of "Brendan", the vessel to compete in the transatlantic race if "Brendan" has not been completed by then.
Why not "Liam"?
Is it a he or a she boat, "Brendan" or "Brenda"?
The boat is named after Brendan the Navigator.
Is there still an outside chance that the boat will be ready to compete in the race?
I give as a personal opinion, that there is nearly no chance.
Can the Minister give the House the estimated cost of building the boat which has been planned already?
I have not that information.
Has the Minister given an estimate of the cost before now?
No, I have not that information. The boat is at the point of going to tender and at that point in time we will see what happens.