The provision of a research vessel on the lines suggested by the Deputy would cost up to £20 million. The immediate priority in this area is to apply available resources to upgrading the existing national research vessel, the Lough Beltra. Some £700,000 will be invested over the next two years in equipping the Lough Beltra to the highest international standards.
This much needed investment is one of the key marine measures under the STRIDE (Science and Technology for Regional Innovation and Development in Europe) Operational Programme for Ireland. The expenditure, which is being 75 per cent funded by the European Regional Development Fund, will involve the provision of specialised navigational, measuring and sampling equipment for the Lough Beltra. This will greatly improve the scope and quality of the ship's marine data collection capability and will enable more efficient and cost effective use to be made of the national research vessel by Irish marine interests.