I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 105 together.
The White Paper on Defence provides for the replacement of LÉ Eithne with a Multi Role Vessel (MRV). This project is in the planning stage and accordingly, no public procurement competition tender documentation has issued to the market at this stage. It is intended to hold a public tender competition in due course to cover the supply of this MRV. The design and configuration of the vessel, is being considered as part of the planning process.
The cost of the MRV and production schedule will only be known once the tender competition is concluded. This procurement is, of course, subject to the availability of funding within the overall Defence capital funding envelope. However, I remain very committed as Minister with Responsibility for Defence to continue to work to ensure that the financial resources are made available to the Defence Organisation to ensure that the required equipment and infrastructure projects proceed in a diligent manner so as to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their various roles, both at home and overseas.