Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
148. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the project for the enhancement of subsea awareness capabilities; the timeframe in which related equipment will be acquired; the budget allocated for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56421/23]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure the capabilities of the Defence Forces is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.
I am advised that the procurement process for a multi-beam sonar system for the P60 class of vessels is well advanced and is currently at the tender evaluation stage of a public procurement competition, with all due diligence being conducted prior to the awarding of the tender.
In addition, a civil-military working group has been established to progress a project for the enhancement of subsea awareness capabilities, as recommended in the Commission on the Defence Forces and referenced in the Detailed Implementation Plan published in November 2023. Significant progress has been made to date and the Needs Phase which sets out the rational and justification for the project is due to complete in quarter 1 of 2024.
This project like all major equipment projects will take some time to deliver. We are not at the acquisition stage, which would be the final phase in the capability development process and, as such, while planning is still ongoing it would be premature to speculate on cost projections. However, delivery of this subsea awareness project is a key capability priority for me as Minister for Defence and I am determined to ensure its delivery within the earliest timeframe.
