asked the Minister for Defence the number of occasions during the current year on which Naval Service vessels have been tied up because of shortage of personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Naval Service Operations.
30.
The Naval Service has seven patrol vessels, two of which, Orla and Ciara, were acquired in 1988 and went into operational service in January 1989.
In the first six months of 1988, the Naval Service vessels steamed 46, 136 nautical miles and spent 436 days on patrol. The corresponding figures for 1989 are 58,481 nautical miles and 567 days respectively. In other words, patrolling has increased by over 25 per cent.
Naval Service vessels are taken out of service from time to time to allow for crew leave, scheduled maintenance and other contingencies.