Madeleine Taylor-Quinn
Ceist:5 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if he intends purchasing training vessels for An Slua Muirí and if he has satisfied himself with the existing training facilities.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - An Slua Muirí Training Vessels.
An Slua Muirí have a number of vessels which are used for training and instructional purposes. I am satisfied that the existing facilities available to An Slua Muirí are adequate for their training requirements.
Does the Minister consider it appropriate that An Slua Muirí should have only one boat available to them in the Southern Command, a boat that is lent to them by a private individual and not provided by the Department? Is the Minister satisfied that many members of An Slua Muirí cannot put the training they get on land into effect at sea because they do not have the necessary vessels available? What does the Minister propose to do about it?
An Slua Muirí have seven vessels.
Where?
The Creichne, which is a motor yacht, is mainly used for training in the eastern group in the Dublin area. They have the Nancy Bet a motor yacht purchased in 1984 which is used for training in the southern group in the Cork area. They have An Deiseach which is a harbour launch and is used for training in the Waterford area. They have four other sailing vessels which are used for instruction and in other areas of training. There would be a wish that further vessels be acquired to supplement those but it is not accurate to say that there is just the one vessel: they have seven vessels.
Sources that I have been in contact with have been very specific in relation to the Southern Command that the only vessel available to them is one loaned by a private individual and that there are no State vessels based in the Southern Command area so that An Slua Muirí members cannot put into effect at sea the training they are receiving. Would the Minister not consider that there should be an opportunity for members of An Slua Muirí to involve themselves with the Navy and Navy activities, particularly during the summer months?
That is a separate matter, but we have looked at some other vessels which may be of assistance in training. Some which were looked at were found not suitable because of their age and the difficulty in finding spare parts. However, in the light of the Deputy's representations I will look further at this. I have already had some discussions with personnel from An Slua Muirí and we may be able to find some further facilities and vessels as resources permit.
Can the Minister tell the House where the four other vessels mentioned are? Are they owned by the Department or are they privately owned? Who is making them available, and where are they available?
I am not sure where the other four vessels are. I presume they are operating in a unified approach. I am referring to training vessels, not fishery patrol vessels. There are seven vessels fully operational providing an excellent service, and as resources permit we will look at the possibility of acquiring other vessels.