Jim O'Keeffe
Question:61 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence if courtesy visits by the Navy have been cancelled; if so, the reasons for this decision; and his views on whether this decision is good for morale. [16528/99]
Written Answers. - Naval Service.
No courtesy visits approved for Naval Service vessels this year have been cancelled. I recently approved four foreign cruises for Naval Service vessels in 1999. This represents cruises for over 50 per cent of Naval Service vessels which I consider to be a reasonable compromise between maintaining a high Naval Service presence in Irish waters which is the primary role of the Naval Service and the experience to be gained by undertaking such visits.