Vol. 472 No. 6
7 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself with the strength of the current naval surveillance force along the southern coast of the country; if he intends to increase the strength of this force in the immediate future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24018/96]
At present the Naval Service is equipped with a total of seven vessels comprising one helicopter carrying patrol vessel, four off shore patrol vessels and two coastal patrol vessels. The current strength on the Naval Service is 992. The Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the exclusive economic zone. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed at all areas of Irish waters as necessary.
Advertisements were placed in the national newspapers recently inviting applications for enlistment in the Army and the Naval Service in 1996 and 1997. I propose to enlist 200 recruits in 1996 and at least a further 400 in 1997. The number to be assigned to the Navy has yet to be decided.
The EU has introduced a five year programme of financial aid towards the cost of measures to enforce the Common Fisheries Policy. The enforcement of the new control measures agreed in December 1995, is being examined in this context. The purpose of this exercise is to ensure that Ireland will derive the maximum benefit from the available EU support. The position in relation to the programme for 1997 is that Ireland's submission was passed to the Commission before the deadline of 30 June 1996 and provides for a down payment on an additional naval patrol vessel.
Requests for proposals for the supply of a patrol vessel were advertised in the Official Journal of the European Community. The deadline for receipt of proposals is 10 January 1997. On the basis of the proposals received, a shortlist of suitable potential tenderers will be invited to tender. It is anticipated the Department will be in a position to place a contract in the latter half of 1997.
The Commission will consider Ireland's application in conjunction with those of other member states and will decide before the end of January next on the level of funding to be made available to us in 1997. Pending the implementation of the five year programme the Naval Service will continue to carry out its various roles using the existing seven patrol vessels, a number of which, it is expected, will be refurbished under the five year programme.
I thank the Minister for his wide ranging reply. Over the past six to eight months the west coast has been targeted by drug traffickers. Is the present number of craft available to the Minister sufficient to keep a close eye on the western coastline from Donegal to Cork harbour?
I will endeavour to increase the number of vessels available to the Naval Service as quickly as I can. I am making a start this year by adding at least one vessel to the fleet. I am also looking at the possibility that over a three year period we could increase that number to approximately ten, which would be three additional vessels. We have advertised in the Official Journal of the European Community making a request for proposals. It gives an idea of what new or second-hand vessels are available in the market that would suit our needs. I am not happy that we have a sufficient number of vessels at present. We are trying to address that situation but I ask the Deputy to take into account that we are living in an age of new technology. We must not forget the benefits of the CASA aircraft flown by the Air Corps, which are placed at the disposal of the Naval Service for the purpose of passing on information. Much can be done from the air through the use of new technology which feeds information to Haulbowline or directly to our naval vessels. Therefore, instead of engaging in searches, vessels can be given exact directions to the site of an emergency. We cannot ignore those advances.
The Naval Service has a responsibility to serve the State. If we are asked to perform further tasks on behalf of other Departments, there is an obligation on those Departments to support the Naval Service and the Department of Defence through the provision of resources. In the interim, we shall endeavour to increase the numbers being recruited to the fleet as quickly as possible. As a result of the review being carried out at present, we will ensure that the Naval Service has adequate personnel to carry out the duties expected of it and that no ship is confined to port because of a lack of such personnel.
Can I take it there will be an increase in the numbers of new naval recruits?
I assure the Deputy that the Naval Service will receive a share of the numbers of personnel being recruited at present. If the Price Waterhouse report on the Naval Service recommends the recruitment of a certain number of staff, I will endeavour to ensure that such staff are provided immediately.
We must be careful to call it "Price Waterhouse Report No. 1".
