Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2021
241. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Naval Service is adequately equipped and resourced to ensure the deployment of vessels at any given time in an emergency situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47420/21]
View answer246. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Naval Service continues to be fully and adequately resourced including the upgrading of training and equipment which might impede its ability to respond in any situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47425/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 246 together.
The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going 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 a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. The Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish Waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as necessary. I am advised that the fleet is managed to ensure maximum availability to meet operational requirements.
On any given patrol day the Naval Service can carry out a number of taskings on behalf of other State agencies such as the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, An Garda Síochána and the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners.
The White Paper on Defence sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment in the Naval Service.
The replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi-role vessel, MRV, is the immediate project currently under way. The MRV project is an important capability development project and indicative of the commitment to ongoing investment in and development of defence capabilities. The project is included in the Government's National Development Plan as a major capital project and is an important element of the Defence Equipment Development Plan. It is the Government’s intention that this new vessel will provide a flexible and adaptive capability for a wide range of maritime tasks, both at home and overseas.
Following a public tender competition, Marine Advisors have been appointed to support the procurement of the MRV. This work is now underway and will inform a public tender competition in due course.
Projects for other vessel replacements are being considered over the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence in the context of overall capability development and funding along with the overall Equipment Development Plan process.
In relation to training, I remain committed to ensuring that all personnel of the Defence Forces continue to be trained to appropriate standards. The primary function of training in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. The scheduling of training across all three arms of the organisation, including the Naval Service, is underpinned by an analysis of training required to meet operational output and capability development requirements.
I can assure the Deputy that notwithstanding current challenges being experienced, the Naval Service continues to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including fishery protection and maritime security operations.
