Vol. 519 No. 3
61 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Defence when he will sign the contract for the proposed sister ship for the le Roisin; if it is intended that the new vessel will be armed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13685/00]
I signed the contract for the provision of a second new ship for the Naval Service at the naval base, Haulbowline, on 6 April 2000. The placing of the contract is a further step in the implementation of the Government's commitment to the modernisation of the service.
The new vessel, which will replace le Deirdre, will join the Naval Service fleet on fishery protection duties following delivery in the latter part of next year. The vessel will be equipped with armaments appropriate to its primary role of fishery protection duties. A decision has not been made as to the level of armaments required.
