Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1005. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Defence the timeframe that the strategic assessment preliminary business case for the multirole vessel, MRV, will be provided by his Department to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for its consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39830/22]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.
As a result of the White Paper commitment to Naval Service vessel replacement, the project to replace the flagship L.É. Eithne with a multi-role vessel (MRV) is currently being progressed and Marine Advisors have been appointed to support the procurement. The MRV is an important element of the Defence Equipment Development Plan and is provided for in the Government's National Development Plan as a major capital project. It is the Government’s intention that this new vessel will provide a flexible and adaptive capability for a wide range of maritime tasks.
In compliance with the Public Spending Code, a Strategic Assessment Report for the MRV is currently being finalised by my Department and I understand this process is nearing completion. Following a successful completion, that Assessment Report will be submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for review.
