Michael Finucane
Question:185 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Defence the number of days spent at sea for each of the patrol vessels during 1998. [21156/99]
Written Answers. - Naval Service.
The naval service is equipped with a total of seven vessels comprising one helicopter carrying vessel, LE Eithne, four offshore patrol vessels, LE Aisling, Aoife, Emer and Deirdre, and two coastal patrol vessels, LE Orla and Ciara. The following table indicates the number of days which each vessel spent at sea during 1998.
|
LE EITHNE |
LE AISLING |
LE AOIFE |
LE EMER |
LE DEIRDRE |
LE ORLA |
LE CIARA |
|
95.00 |
164.00 |
182.00 |
173.00 |
180.00 |
155.00 |
171 |
The LEEithne underwent a major refit during 1998.
Michael Finucane
Question:186 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Defence the amount expended on the Naval Service during 1998; the percentage of gross domestic produce this represents; and the amount allocated in 1999. [21157/99]
Expenditure attributable to the naval service within the defence and army pension Votes was about £60 million in 1998 and this represents about 0.1 per cent of gross domestic product. The forecast for 1999 is £64 million.
Michael Finucane
Question:187 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Defence the level of labour turnover in the Naval Service during 1998 and to the end of September 1999; the occupational categories to which this applies; and the current number of employees within the service. [21158/99]
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in the format requested. The information is being compiled by the military authorities and I will write to the Deputy with the information as soon as it is available.
Michael Finucane
Question:188 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Defence the age of each patrol vessel in the Naval Service; and if he has satisfied himself that they are still effective to operate within the distance requirements of the European economic zone. [21159/99]
At present the Naval Service has a total of seven all-weather vessels comprising : LE Deirdre OPV – Commissioned May 1972; LE Emer OPV – Commissioned January 1978; LE Aoife OPV – Commissioned November 1979; LE Aisling OPV – Commissioned May 1980; LE Eithne HPV – Commissioned December 1984; LE Orla CPV – Commissioned (NS) January 1989; LE Ciara CPV – Commissioned (NS) January 1989.
The three classes of patrol vessel in service with the Naval Service are: OPV – denoting off-shore patrol vessel, suitable for all-weather patrol duties around the entire coast; HPV – denoting helicopter carrying patrol vessel, suitable for all-weather patrol duties around the entire coast; CPV – denoting coastal patrol vessel, suitable for all-weather inshore patrol duties.
The first five vessels were constructed at Verolme Cork dockyard and are still effective to operate within the distance requirements of the European economic zone.
LE Orla and LE Ciara were acquired from the British Ministry of Defence in 1988 and were built in 1984 and commissioned for the Royal Navy in 1985. These vessels normally operate within an 80 mile limit from the coast due to weather restrictions.