Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Jun 2001

Vol. 538 No. 3

Written Answers. - Naval Service Vessels.

David Stanton

Question:

138 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the Naval Service vessel LE Deirdre; his estimate of the sale value of the ship; if he will consider making it available as a naval and maritime museum for the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17929/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The Naval Service vessel, LE Deirdre, was decommissioned earlier this year. The ship, built in 1971, had completed almost 30 years of operational duties and had reached the end of its economic life.

LE Deirdre is being replaced by the second new ship built for the Naval Service by Appledore Shipbuilders limited. The building of the ship, to be named LE Niamh, is almost complete and the vessel should be ready for sea trials in the second week of July 2001.

In consultation with the Naval Service, it was agreed that the services of a professional shipbroker-agent would be engaged to assist the Department of Defence with the sale of the vessel and expressions of interest were sought in the daily newspapers in April 2001. Mr. Dominic Daly from Cork was subsequently engaged to assist the Department in this regard.

Arrangements were made by Mr. Daly to proceed with the sale ofLE Deirdre by public auction on Thursday, 14 June in the Carrigaline Court Hotel, Carrigaline, County Cork. Bidding for the vessel started at the ship's scrap value of £50,000 and increased to a final bid of £190,000 from Seastream International limited, Cornwall, England. The conditions of sale for the auction stated that the sale of LE Deirdre shall be subject to the approval of the Minister for Defence and I intend dealing with the matter as soon as possible.