Skip to main content
Normal View

Defence Forces

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2021

Thursday, 18 November 2021

Questions (116)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

116. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide information regarding the average 17.5 patrol days that were reported to be cancelled each month in 2019, which rose to 30 per month to date in 2021; the purpose of the patrols; and the reason for cancellation. [56520/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary day-to-day tasking 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.

Scheduled patrol days can be impacted by a range of factors including adverse weather conditions, unscheduled maintenance as well as staffing issues.

The table below outlines the number of cancelled Naval Service patrol days for the full year of 2019 and also up to 31 October 2021.

Number of Naval Service cancelled Patrol days

Period covered

Number of cancelled patrol days

Average patrol days cancelled per month

01 Jan 2019 - 31 Dec 2019

94

7.8

01 Jan 2020 – 31 Dec 2020

81

6.7

01 Jan 2021 - 31 October 2021

223

22.3

The increase in cancelled patrol days in 2021 is mainly due to issues relating to COVID 19 as one of the ships, LÉ Ciara could not go to sea given its inability, due to its size, to implement safely the necessary Covid 19 precautions. There were also some unforeseen mechanical issues. In particular 47 scheduled patrol days were cancelled in 2021 due to a fire which occurred on board LÉ NIAMH in late 2020. A shortage of suitably qualified and experienced personnel during the period in question was also a factor.

Notwithstanding the mechanical and staffing challenges being experienced, I am satisfied that the Naval Service continues to carry out the roles assigned by Government.

Question No. 117 answered with Question No. 94.
Question No. 118 answered with question No. 115.
Top
Share