asked the Minister for Defence the average number of naval vessels (a) at sea, (b) in port or out of service, and (c) under repair, at any given time, if he will outline the present condition of LE Banba, LE Fola, LE Gráinne and LE Setanta, if they are operational and, if so, when they will be withdrawn from service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishery Protection Service.
33.
1. The average number of vessels at sea at any given time is three.
2. The average number in port or out of service at any given time, apart from LE Banda and LE Setanta, is two.
3. The average number under repair at any given time is one.
4. (a) The costal minesweeper LE Banda is at present out of service due to engine defects and the difficulty of obtaining spare parts; (b) The training and auxiliary vessel LE Setanta is at present being availed of for the provision of accommodation and the training of recruits at the Naval Base in Haulbowline. She is in need of a major overhaul; (c) The coastal minesweepers LE Feola and LE Gráinne are fully operational; (d) The three minesweepers and the training vessel, LE Setanta, are nearing the end of their useful lives but I have taken no decision as to when they will be withdrawn from service.
Will the Minister state how many of the vessels are at the end of their useful life? It appears that so far as equipment and vessels are concerned we are disimproving our position.
I do not agree with the Deputy. In fact, a vessel was delivered recently. The minesweepers LE Banda, Fola and Gráinne are nearing the end of their useful life but I have not yet taken a decision as to when they will be withdrawn. There are four vessels in the Deirdre class, one having been delivered recently.
If there was an emergency in the country and if the six naval vessels were called out, is the Minister satisfied we have enough personnel to man them?
Yes, just about enough.
34.
asked the Minister for Defence in view of the fact that the European Council has granted only 46 million EUAs for fishery protection, compared with that claimed and deemed eligible for financial participation, if he will give the following information:— (a) if there will be any reduction in the scale of the programme of requirements outlined by him in his reply to parliamentary questions Nos. 13 and 14 on 26 March 1980, as a consequence of the reduction in funding from the EEC, (b) if the cost of LE Deirdre has been reclaimed from the EEC, if so, when, and if not, if a further vessel of this type will be acquired in view of the fact that four have been approved, (c) when a further three maritime aircraft will be acquired as indicated in the programme, the various types under consideration, and when a final choice will be made, in view of the time scale involved in acquiring such aircraft, (d) the reason no ships other than LE Ferdia have been leased, in view of the fact that finance has been made available for the lease of two ships, and (e) if finance granted for one part of the programme, such as the leasing of ships may be transferred to some other part of the programme, such as the purchase of aircraft or if this must be spent as granted for each part of the programme.
As I indicated in reply to Question Nos. 13 and 14 on 26 March 1980 the total cost of the programme submitted to the European Commission was £60.5 million. The Commission's decision was that £41.425 million of this was eligible for financial participation by the Community subject to the limit of £31.173 million approximately—46 million European units of account. The answers to the points raised by the Deputy are as follows: (a) A reduction in the scale of the programme submitted to the Commission and approved by them is not proposed. (b) LE Deirdre was delivered in 1972. Her capital cost, therefore, was not included in the £60.5 million mentioned and was not reclaimed. Three further vessels of this type have been acquired and are in service, namely, LE Emer, LE Aoife and LE Aisling. (c) The two Beech aircraft leased in 1977 and 1978 were initial steps pending the development of specially designed maritime aircraft. As soon as purpose designed aircraft suitable for fishery protection purposes are available the question of further acquisition will be considered. (d) No ships other than Ferdia were leased due to the delivery of new vessels in 1978 and 1979. (e) All eligible expenditure under the programme may be recovered subject to the limit set by Council decision of 25 July, 1978.
Will the Minister state how many vessels built since 1972 are in operation? I realise we are getting a grant towards the cost of the new vessels but what is the position with regard to grants towards the cost of maintenance and operation?
The Deputy may have misunderstood me. The vessel LE Deirdre was constructed before the time of EEC grants.
Are we getting a grant towards the maintenance of the other three vessels and towards the cost of manning them?
Not towards the personnel. I have not got information on the other aspect.
I think the answer is no in both cases. As the boats are engaged mainly in patrol work for the EEC, will the Minister seek a grant towards maintenance of the vessels and the cost of manning them? The Government should not have to pay the total operational costs. There are nine countries in the EEC.
As the Deputy is aware, money is available for the purchase of the vessels.
Is the Minister satisfied that that is enough?
I will have to consider the other aspect.
35.
asked the Minister for Defence if he considers that the King-Air 200 Aircraft operated by the Air Corps is the most suitable aircraft for fisheries surveillance and other marine roles, if the purchase of further such aircraft is under consideration for this purpose or if aircraft specially designed for use in marine environment, referred to by his predecessor in the Dáil on the 14 June 1979 is still under consideration, and if he considers the use of the King-Airs an interim measure pending the acquisition of more suitable aircraft in terms of range and performance or as a more suitable replacement for the Dove aircraft at present being offered for sale.
The two Beech aircraft operated by the Air Corps have proved suitable so far for fisheries surveillance. They are regarded as an interim measure pending the development of aircraft specially designed for use in a marine environment. The question of further purchases will be considered when such aircraft become available.
A Beech King-Air 200 was chosen last year as a Dove replacement. Delivery is being effected this week.