asked the Minister for Defence if he will give the following details in respect of all the ships available to the naval service and to his Department (a) the year of construction, (b) the estimated life span, (c) the plans for replacement and (d) the number of types of ships under construction or planned.
Written Answers. - Naval Service.
161.
The sea-going vessels available to the Naval Service and to my Department are as follows:
(a) (1) Three coastal minesweepers, L.E. Fola, L.E. Grainne and L.E. Banba, which were constructed in the period 1954-56 and were purchased from the British Ministry for Defence in 1971.
(2) The training vessel L.E. Setanta, which was constructed in 1953 and was acquired by my Department in August 1976 from the Commissioners of Irish Lights.
(3) The patrol vessel L.E. Deirdre which was constructed in 1971-72 and delivered in May 1972.
(4) The patrol vessel L.E. Emer which was constructed in 1977-78 and delivered in January 1978.
(5) The patrol vessel L.E. Aoife which was constructed in 1978-79 and delivered in October 1979.
In addition, the patrol vessel L.E. Aisling which was constructed in 1979-80 will become available to the Naval Service on delivery in April 1980.
(b) (1) The three coastal minesweepers and the training vessel, L.E. Setanta, are nearing the end of their useful lives. When they cease to operate their duties will be carried out by the patrol vessels.
(2) The estimated life span of the patrol vessels is 25 years from the date of delivery.
(c) and (d) Two further patrol vessels are planned and it is intended that these will be equipped with helicopter platforms and hangars. It is anticipated that they will be delivered in 1982.
A number of small launches and auxiliaries are used in the Cork Harbour area for the carriage of passengers and stores.
162.
asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel attached to the Slua Muirí on 31 December in each of the years 1970 to 1979, inclusive, the sea-going functions of this vessel and the average amount of training spent at sea.
The number of personnel in an Slua Muirí on 31 December in each of the years 1970 to 1979 is as follows:—
|
31 December 1970 |
329 |
|
31 December 1971 |
345 |
|
31 December 1972 |
348 |
|
31 December 1973 |
336 |
|
31 December 1974 |
349 |
|
31 December 1975 |
398 |
|
31 December 1976 |
492 |
|
31 December 1977 |
537 |
|
31 December 1978 |
464 |
|
31 December 1979 |
432 |
An Slua Muirí is the naval component of the Reserve Defence Force and personnel in that Force are required to attend a specified period of training annually. Part of this training is normally spent at sea but it would not be possible to quantify the average amount spent at sea by each member of the Force.
163.
asked the Minister for Defence the number of Naval Service personnel recruited each year from 1970 to 1979 inclusive, the number who did not complete their basic training, the number who resigned and the reason for the resignation in each case.
The following is the information requested:
|
Year |
Numbers enlisted |
Numbers who did not complete basic training |
|
1970 |
43 |
13 |
|
1971 |
186 |
76 |
|
1972 |
36 |
6 |
|
1973 |
72 |
27 |
|
1974 |
142 |
57 |
|
1975 |
209 |
85 |
|
1976 |
83 |
9 |
|
1977 |
168 |
23 |
|
1978 |
183 |
35 |
|
1979 |
239 |
53 |
Apart from 1979, information regarding the numbers who left the Naval Service together with the reason in each case is not readily available. I will, however, communicate with the Deputy when the information is to hand.
164.
asked the Minister for Defence the total strength of the Naval Service at each rank on 31 December in each year from 1970 to 1979 inclusive.
The information requested is as follows:
Officers.
|
Commodore |
Captain |
Commander |
Lieutenant- Commander |
Lieutenant |
Sub-Lieutenant |
Ensign |
Total |
|
|
31 December 1970 |
— |
1 |
3 |
12 |
16 |
2 |
2 |
36 |
|
31 December 1971 |
— |
1 |
3 |
13 |
15 |
2 |
2 |
36 |
|
31 December 1972 |
— |
1 |
3 |
13 |
19 |
6 |
— |
42 |
|
31 December 1973 |
— |
1 |
3 |
15 |
14 |
8 |
1 |
42 |
|
31 December 1974 |
— |
1 |
3 |
15 |
15 |
8 |
5 |
47 |
|
31 December 1975 |
— |
1 |
3 |
16 |
20 |
6 |
7 |
53 |
|
31 December 1976 |
— |
1 |
4 |
18 |
20 |
9 |
7 |
59 |
|
31 December 1977 |
— |
1 |
4 |
20 |
20 |
11 |
4 |
60 |
|
31 December 1978 |
— |
1 |
5 |
22 |
20 |
9 |
11 |
68 |
|
31 December 1979 |
1 |
— |
5 |
21 |
17 |
10 |
17 |
71 |
Non-Commissioned Officers and Seamen.
|
Warrant Officer |
Senior Chief Petty Officer |
Chief Petty Officer |
Senior Petty Officer |
Petty Officer |
Leading Seamen |
Seamen |
Total |
|
|
31 December 1970 |
3 |
1 |
38 |
2 |
52 |
63 |
134 |
293 |
|
31 December 1971 |
3 |
1 |
30 |
2 |
56 |
64 |
199 |
355 |
|
31 December 1972 |
3 |
1 |
31 |
2 |
68 |
64 |
187 |
356 |
|
31 December 1973 |
2 |
1 |
34 |
3 |
68 |
63 |
179 |
350 |
|
31 December 1974 |
2 |
1 |
31 |
3 |
59 |
77 |
211 |
384 |
|
31 December 1975 |
3 |
1 |
37 |
3 |
64 |
83 |
262 |
453 |
|
31 December 1976 |
3 |
1 |
36 |
3 |
67 |
82 |
292 |
484 |
|
31 December 1977 |
3 |
1 |
39 |
6 |
80 |
86 |
354 |
569 |
|
31 December 1978 |
3 |
1 |
40 |
7 |
88 |
76 |
372 |
587 |
|
31 December 1979 |
6 |
— |
38 |
8 |
91 |
71 |
395 |
609 |