Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2004
102 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether the Naval Service has sufficient resources at its disposal to allow it to discharge its role of assisting the Garda and Customs Service in preventing the smuggling of drugs through territorial waters; if he has plans to provide additional resources to allow it to more effectively discharge these functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17832/04]
View answer105 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Defence the steps being taken to address the shortage of officers and NCOs in the Naval Service which are well below the establishment levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17813/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 105 together.
In December 2000 I authorised a new organisation for the Naval Service, which increased personnel numbers from 959 serving at that time to a new establishment of 1,144. The strength of the Naval Service, as advised by the military authorities, was 1,081 as at 30 April 2004. The Government remains fully committed to the policy of ongoing recruitment to ensure that both an overall PDF strength of 10,500 and the new Naval Service establishment figure of 1,144 are achieved and maintained.
It is proposed to recruit ten cadets to the Naval Service from the 2004 cadetship competition. The Naval Service recently had an initial intake of 31 general service recruits. Earlier this year one direct entry marine engineer officer was recruited to the Naval Service. The requirements for any further intakes will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. The ongoing recruitment campaign for enlistment in the Defence Forces, which I have approved, is designed to address any shortfall in personnel in the Defence Forces including the Naval Service. Some 93 recruits were enlisted in the Naval Service in 2003; 14 cadets and eight direct entry officers were also recruited during 2003.
Where the need arises, competitions are organised to recruit specialist personnel by direct entry. competitions have been advertised in recent years for marine engineer officers, watchkeeping officers, electrical engineer officers, electrical artificers and engine room artificers in the Naval Service.
Responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking and other such illegal activities rests primarily with the Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners. The White Paper on Defence provides for a security role for both the Naval Service and the Air Corps to assist and support the civil authorities in this important work. While the main day to day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union, Government measures to improve law enforcement in relation to drugs — including the establishment in 1993 of a joint task force involving the Garda, the Customs and Excise and the Naval Service — have helped to maximise the effective use of Naval Service resources in combating drug trafficking. The Air Corps provide air support and on occasion carry the customs national drugs team in an observation capacity, for the purpose of monitoring vessels suspected of drug trafficking or other such illegal activities.
There is close co-operation between the civil authorities and the Naval Service and the Air Corps in this important area. I am satisfied that the extent of Naval Service and Air Corps reconnaissance, in conjunction with the Garda and the Customs and Excise, has had a major and beneficial impact in deterring drug trafficking and other such illegal activities.
