Vol. 485 No. 3
50 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the number of vessels currently available to the Naval Service and the average number at sea at any one time; the most recent position on the planned acquisition for the Naval Service of a new £20 million vessel; the number of crew required for this vessel; if he will ensure that adequate numbers are available in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23095/97]
113 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the final cost of the new naval ship; and the company to which the contract was awarded. [23258/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 113 together.
The Naval Service fleet consists of seven allweather patrol vessels, comprising one helicopter carrying patrol vessel, four off shore patrol vessels and two coastal patrol vessels. These undergo regular planned maintenance and repair to ensure maximum availability to meet operational requirements.
In this context European Union fishery protection programmes have facilitated certain planned maintenance and refitting to extend the service life of the vessels on a part-cost recoupment basis. Three of these vessels —LE Emer, LE Deirdre and LE Aoife— were refurbished at the naval dockyard in recent years and another, LE Aisling, is currently undergoing a major overhaul at the same location to replace and refurbish obsolete or deteriorated equipment and extend its operational life. This work is due for completion by end January next. The three remaining vessels —LE Eithne, LE Ciara and LE Orla— will undergo similar refurbishment during the next three years, starting with LE Eithne in 1998.
