Naval Service Vessels

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017

Tuesday, 21 March 2017

Questions (1321)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1321. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on a matter with regard to a vessel being named after a person (details supplied). [13262/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The White Paper provides for the replacement of the current Naval Service flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi role vessel which will be enabled for helicopter operations and will also have a freight carrying capacity. It is the Government’s intent that this new vessel will provide a flexible and adaptive capability for a wide range of maritime tasks, both at home and overseas.

The full range of specific roles and capabilities of the new vessel will be considered in detail by the Defence organisation when preparing the vessel design specification before going to the market as part of the White Paper implementation process.

The question of the naming of the new vessel will be considered when the vessel build is under way.