Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 2

Written Answers - Naval Service Vessels.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

121 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence when the new Naval Service vessel, the L.E. Niamh, will be available for operational duties; the arrangements which have been made for the armament of the vessel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13781/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The building of the second new ship for the Naval Service by Appledore Shipbuilders Limited in England is almost complete. The ship, to be named L.E. Niamh, is a replacement for L.E. Deirdre which has reached the end of its economic life.

During builders sea trials, which take place in advance of customer acceptance sea trials, a problem arose with the port gearbox on the ship. This is being addressed by Appledore Shipbuilders Limited with the manufacturer of the gearbox. When the gearbox is replaced, the ship will undergo customer acceptance sea trials which will be attended by representatives of the Department of Defence and the Naval Service. When these trials are complete, and everything going well, the ship will be officially handed over to the Department. The hand-over is expected to take place by the end of June 2001. It is expected that the ship will commence operational duties in July 2001. The ship will be fitted with an Oto Melara 76 millimetre gun following the arrival of the vessel in Ireland.

Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 99.