asked the Minister for Defence the number of days on which the LE Aoife has been in operational service at sea since the beginning of this year; the last date on which it was at sea; the plans he has to provide adequate personnel to crew the vessel; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - LE Aoife.
22.
(Limerick West): The number of days during which LE Aoife has been in operational service at sea since the beginning of the year is 36 days. The last date on which the vessel was at sea was 21 March 1989. With regard to the question of providing adequate personnel to crew the vessel, I have dealt with this matter in my statement in reply to Questions Nos. 11, 13, 17, 24, 28, 134, 135 and 136 which were answered earlier.
Could the Minister confirm that the reason the LE Aoife has been tied up since 21 March is that personnel are not available to sail it, and that they have been transferred to, as the Minister described them earlier, the two new unexpected acquisitions? Could the Minister confirm that there are not enough sailors to sail the ships?
(Limerick West): As I indicated earlier, at present 270 people are in training for the Naval Service.
All down in Cork.
(Limerick West): Every ship is at sea for 180 days each year and the same applies to the ship in question.
Would it not be better to simply withdraw one, if not both ships? Is it true that there are not enough sailors in service to sail the full complement? Surely if anything——
The Deputy is engaging in repetition.
Would the Minister agree that it is crucial to proper fishery protection and other duties to have all ships at sea as often as possible?
(Limerick West): As I have indicated to the Deputy, every ship is at sea for 180 days each year, and this ship will also be at sea for 180 days. There is no question of withdrawing any ship from service.
I think the Minister has been at sea for the last hour.