Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:12 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the estimated service life of each of the seven patrol vessels in the Navy fleet after refitting and refurbishment. [18126/97]
Other Questions. - Naval Service.
The service life of a Naval Service ship is determined by the level of operational activity. The 15-16 year stage in a ship's life cycle is the optimum point at which a "life extension/refit programme" should be undertaken so as to extend the useful life of the ship to 30 or more years.
At present the Naval Service is equipped with a total of seven vessels comprising one helicopter carrying patrol vessel, four offshore patrol vessels and two coastal patrol vessels. 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. Fishery protection patrols are complemented by assistance provided by the Air Corps in the form of aerial surveillance by the two CASA maritime patrol aircraft.
The European Union's current five year programme 1996-2000 provides for financial aid towards the cost of measures to enforce the Common Fisheries Policy. Approximately £1.35 million was committed by the Department on EU-funded projects in 1996. The Department spent £5.88 million in 1995 and £8.69 million in 1994 on EU-funded projects. The position on the programme for 1997 is that Ireland's submission provides for a down payment on an additional naval patrol vessel.
Three of these vessels - LE Emer, LE Deirdre and LE Aoife - were refurbished at the Naval dockyard in recent years and another, LE Aisling, is currently undergoing a major overhaul at the same location to replace and refurbish obsolete or deteriorated equipment and extend its operational life. This work is due for completion by end January next. The three remaining vessels —LE Eithne, LE Ciara and LE Orla - will undergo similar refurbishment during the next three years.
How long will the seven existing ships be operational? What will the new ship cost?
It would be very unwise, in the final negotiations on the tender process for the next ship, to disclose what I think it should cost. To put it in rough terms, it could cost anywhere from £13 to £20 million and beyond.
The existing ships are 15 or 16 years old. Following a refurbishment programme their life could be easily extended to 25 or 30 years.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.