asked the Minister for Defence in view of his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 367 of 21 October 1980, if he will have the vessels referred to fully surveyed to ascertain their remaining life-span; if the repairs referred to will be carried out; if so, when; and if it is proposed that one of the mine-sweepers which has been out of service for nearly a year will be scrapped early next year and that the other two will be scrapped before the new vessels enter service in 1983.
Written Answers. - Naval Service Vessels.
46.
As stated in my reply to Question No. 367 of 21 October 1980, the hulls of the three Naval Service minesweepers were recently surveyed and it was recommended that certain remedial work should be carried out to the hulls of two of the vessels during their next scheduled refits. Work has commenced on one of the vessels and work on the other will be carried out when refit of that vessel is due. The machinery and spares situation in relation to these vessels will be surveyed and monitored during the refits. The future of the third minesweeper is under consideration in the light of the hull survey report. No decision has been taken to scrap any of these vessels. It is proposed to carry out a survey of L.E. Setanta.