Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jun 1996

Vol. 467 No. 5

Written Answers. - Naval Service Vessels.

Martin Cullen

Question:

129 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for Defence, in view of his replies to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 128 of 24 April 1996, 5 and 22 of 1 February 1996 and 119 and 117 of 31 January 1996, concerning proposals for the purchase of an additional ship for the Naval Service, if he will provide the details he promised on 1 February concerning the make-up of the proposals, the specifics involved, the level of support and the matching funds that Ireland will have to put up; if expenditure proposals including a downpayment in 1997 for the acquisition of a new ship will be submitted for approval to Brussels by the end of June 1996, as stated in his reply on 24 April; if not, the reason therefore; when a tender competition for the new ship will be held; the interim steps, if any, he is taking to ensure the Naval Service can continue to provide a safe and efficient service, particularly in view of the age of the current fleet, the need for a new ship, the delays that have already taken place in the acquisition process and the estimated two year delay between tendering for and commissioning the new ship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13749/96]

Minister for Defence (Mr. Barrett)

As I outlined previously to the House the EU introduced a five-year programme of financial aid towards the cost of measures to enforce the common fisheries policy. Under the terms of this programme, which covers the years 1996 to 2000, member states were required to submit their proposals for 1996 before 15 November 1995, the Commission decision on the extent of funding to be announced before 15 March 1996. For subsequent years members states' proposals must be submitted before 30 June of the preceding year, the Commission decision to be announced before the end of December.

In submitting proposals for 1996 Ireland placed particular emphasis on securing support for the requirements to implement the new entry-exit arrangements which came into operation on 1 January 1996 and which are an essential element of the new control measures for the Irish Box. In addition to these items, funding was sought for a range of control measures to be operated by the Departments of Defence and the Marine. The total amount of expenditure under the programme for both Departments for 1996 is £5.8 million, of which £4.3 million will be met by the EU. In agreeing to the 1996 programme the EU Commission recognised Ireland's unique position by giving a higher rate of intervention to many elements of our package and by contributing to Ireland's operational costs.

In relation to the programme for 1997, the position is that Ireland's submission which will be made to the Commission before the deadline of 30 June will provide for a downpayment for a new Naval patrol vessel. The Commission will consider Ireland's application in conjunction with those of other member states and will decide before the end of the year the level of funding to be made available. It is not possible at this stage to indicate what level of support might be achieved and, consequently, what level of matching funding will be required for the purchase of the patrol vessel.

Subject to a satisfactory conclusion to the negotiations with the Commission, the tendering process will be initiated early next year.

Pending delivery of the new patrol vessel, the Naval Service will continue to provide a fishery protection service using the existing seven patrol vessels, a number of which will be refurbished under the five-year programme.