Bernard J. Durkan
Question:115 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which it is intended to upgrade and expand equipment and materials for the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9225/03]
Written Answers - Defence Forces Equipment.
The Naval Service is the State's principal seagoing agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles.
The main day to day role of the Naval Service is to provide fishery protection in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. However, as the need arises, Naval Service vessels may be deployed to other duties such as aid to the civil power, search and rescue, drug interdiction operations and assistance with pollution control.
Significant investment has been made in the Naval Service in recent years. The LE Róisín commissioned in December, 1999 and the LE Niamh commissioned in September 2001 cost more than €25 million each. Both ships have proved to be tremendous assets to the Naval Service.
I am satisfied that the existing complement of vessels and available resources enable the Naval Service to carry out its roles in a very effective manner.