Vol. 491 No. 7
9 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Defence the number of vessels available to the Naval Service; the average number at sea at any one time; if adequate numbers are available to staff these vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9052/98]
27 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself with the manning levels on our navy patrol vessels. [9293/98]
83 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself with the manning levels on our navy patrol vessels. [9295/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 27 and 83 together.
The Naval Service is equipped with a total of seven vessels comprising one helicopter carrying vessel, four off shore patrol vessels and two coastal patrol vessels. At any one time there would generally be three or four vessels on patrol. At present six vessels are operational and one is undergoing refit. In December 1997 a contract was placed for the supply of a new fishery protection patrol vessel which is due to be delivered in September 1999.
The question of manning levels for the Naval Service to enable it to fulfil its role is kept under constant review in the light of operational requirements. Some 80 recruits were enlisted in the Service in 1997 and 20 were enlisted on 5 May this year. An additional 30 recruits will be enlisted shortly. A competition to recruit ten watchkeeping officers to the executive branch of the Naval Service was advertised in March 1998 in the national press and in a number of relevant publications in Britain. Interviews were held recently and it is proposed that a panel will be formed from which vacancies will be filled.
During the past four years the Naval Service has been invited to participate in an annual exercise conducted by the United States Navy in the Baltic Sea. We sent an observer in 1994, 1995 and 1997. The Minister gave a commitment in a written reply on the occasion of the last Question Time, to send an observer in 1998. I understand there was also a request for a vessel in 1997 and 1998 which we did not get. Has there been a request for a vessel in 1999? Operational commitments permitting, will he look at the request in a favourable light?
Although the Deputy's supplementary does not deal specifically with this question, my recollection is that that request was made and, for operational reasons, we have been unable to comply with it. Such requests are often made, not only in the context the Deputy mentioned but in other circumstances also. There are heavy demands on the Naval Service with great commitment from the people concerned. The duties which have been added to the existing fishery surveillance in the context of drug interdiction, etc. means that we are stretched to the limit. We have a slight reduction in overall numbers notwithstanding the recruits that have been added to the service in the past number of years. It is an ongoing effort to ensure we can man all our vessels. We would have great difficulty in manning all of them at sea at the same time, as the Deputy knows.
Drug abuse continues to be a major problem in Dublin, and I am sure that is the case throughout the country. Preventing the importation of drugs by sea is a challenge for our Naval Service which was involved in five operations in l996 with the assistance of the Garda and the customs authorities; the Minister was unable to give me the numbers for l997 and l998. Does the Navy have the resources to tackle drug smuggling effectively given the enormous potential around our coastline for such episodes to occur?
There is no doubt there is an international dimension to the way drugs are transported. The view taken some years ago that Ireland was vulnerable in that regard has added to the overall awareness in a number of authorities of what we have to do. We are not directly responsible in this area. We operate in close concert with the Garda and other authorities and members have been lauded for some of the actions they have taken to support the general security services in drug interdiction. I am always concerned to ensure that whatever support we give in this area is worthwhile. It adds to the general tasks we have to perform but we have been successful in preventing drugs getting into the hands of people in our country. Every effort must be made to ensure we do everything possible in that regard and in the past few years we have been extremely successful in this matter.
Has the Minister taken any steps to devolve the administration back to the Naval Service and away from a more centralised administration? I know this is one of the key demands of the Naval Service. Does the Minister envisage taking steps to ensure there is more local administration for the Naval Service of the tasks under its control and essentially of their own jobs?
There has been a systematic devolution of authority in a variety of areas throughout the Defence Forces as a whole, the Air Corps, the Navy and the Permanent Defence Force. That is a welcome development. A number of these devolved powers are currently being monitored and further areas are being examined in respect of decisions being taken without constant reference to the central control. I would also look to the Price Waterhouse review and our determination of where we go in future, that as much autonomy as possible is released, but granting additional local autonomy carries with it the obligation to take some of the more difficult decisions at local level and I would be anxious to ensure that continues. A remarkable transfer has taken place, without much ado, and people have responded positively at all levels. I have had an opportunity to personally view these activities in accounting and other areas. It is also necessary to release staff at central level to allow them to be involved in policy making and other major decisions that have to be taken.
Will the Minister confirm that, operational commitments permitting and all other things being equal, he would not look upon a request in a favourable light for the use of a vessel in an exercise?
The Deputy is putting the question in the double negative. Having regard to operational commitments and current numbers we would find it extremely difficult to accede to such a request but if it can be done, we will do it. We are in the business of presenting ourselves to the world as a committed, able force. I am in favour of availing of opportunities to show off our wares in public to the international community.
