Patrick Costello
Question:167. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the status of each vessel currently used by the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32150/23]
View answerTuesday, 4 July 2023
Questions (167, 168)
Patrick Costello
Question:168. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on whether the Naval Service is currently able to fulfil its current maritime security and defence commitments based on its current staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32151/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.
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 have the ability to undertake general surveillance, search and rescue, diving operations, drugs interdiction and other duties while conducting their primary day-to-day tasking of providing a fishery protection service. At any one time the Naval Service will have ships that are on active operations around the Irish EEZ whilst others are undergoing routine resupply, maintenance, and down time for ships' companies.
Earlier this year, the Government approved the deployment of LÉ William Butler Yeats as part of Operation Irini for a period of approximately 7 weeks in total which commenced in June 2023. The Defence Forces have confirmed that the Naval Service patrol plan can accommodate the deployment to Operation Irini with minimal impact on operational capability at home. In addition, it is considered that this deployment will be beneficial to Naval Service recruitment and retention and enhance operational experience.
The Naval Service has a fleet of four Offshore Patrol Vessels: –
• P61 LÉ SAMUEL BECKETT,
• P62 LÉ JAMES JOYCE,
• P63 LÉ WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS ,
• P64 LÉ GEORGE BERNARD SHAW
and two Large Patrol Vessels
• P51 LÉ RÓISÍN, which is in operational reserve
• P52 LÉ NIAMH, which is currently undergoing a mid-life refit.
In addition, two Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) were purchased from the New Zealand government last year to replace the now decommissioned LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara. These vessels arrived in the Naval Base in May 2023 following a year-long project to regenerate and modify the vessels. Following their arrival, the IPVs will undergo a comprehensive programme of works including crew familiarisation and training, prior to the vessels becoming operational by early 2024.
I have previously acknowledged the staffing difficulties in the Defence Forces and in particular the Naval Service, and work is ongoing to counter these. My immediate focus is on stabilising the numbers of personnel in the Defence Forces and thereafter increasing strength to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
I am satisfied 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.
Question No. 168 answered with Question No. 167.