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. Naval Service vessels are multi-tasked in that they undertake general surveillance, security and other duties while conducting their primary day-to-day tasking of providing a fishery protection service. At any one time the Naval Service can have a number of ships that are on active operations around the Irish EEZ whilst a number of others are undergoing routine resupply, maintenance and down time for ships companies.
The Naval Service currently has a fleet of six vessels. One ship, LÉ Niamh, is in the process of a mid life refit which is expected to be complete in Quarter 3 2023, and a second ship LÉ Róisín, has been placed in operational reserve. There are four operational ships that remain available.
The Naval Service operates a rotating patrol schedule for all operational ships in an effort to maintain a constant presence in the Irish EEZ, and while there were no naval vessels on patrol for a number of days earlier this month due to crewing issues, the Naval Service Fisheries Monitoring Centre continued to remotely monitor vessels in the Irish EEZ on a 24/7 basis, augmented by Air Corps maritime patrol aircraft.
Two Inshore Patrol Vessels have been purchased from the New Zealand Government to replace the decommissioned LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara. Both vessels have recently completed their acceptance testing and are currently being transported to Ireland. With a transit time of at least a month, they are expected to arrive in Cork in May. On arrival, the vessels will undergo a comprehensive programme of works, including crew familiarisation and training, which will take place in the vicinity of Cork Harbour and the naval base at Haulbowline. It is expected that these vessels will be in a position to commence operational service in 2024.
The Government recently approved the deployment of a Naval Service Vessel and associated support staff and elements, for service as part of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy naval operation, Operation Irini. This mission operates in accordance with the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution UNSCR 2635 (2022). The approval of Dáil Éireann will now be sought in accordance with the “Triple Lock” provisions of the Defence Acts.
The Defence Forces have advised that the Naval Service patrol plan can accommodate the deployment to Operation Irini, with the impact on operational capability at home minimised. In addition, it is considered that this deployment will be beneficial to Naval Service recruitment and retention and enhance operational experience.
Notwithstanding some challenges being experienced, the Naval Service continues to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including fishery protection and maritime surveillance operations.
