Matt Carthy
Question:149. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the proposals to ensure that Irish Naval Service ships are equipped with sonar equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56422/23]
View answerWednesday, 17 January 2024
Questions (149)
Written answers
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure the operational capacity of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service 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. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the capability development and equipment development planning process. Specific projects for Naval Service capabilities will be considered as part of this established planning processes.
There is a significant body of work currently underway to ensure that the Defence Forces have the required capabilities with equipment projects in various stages of the project lifecycle.
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. This project is underway and the initial phases which sets out the rational and justification for the project and assesses the various options to determine the capability most suited to fulfil the requirement is due to be completed in quarter 1 of 2024.