Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 11 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 4

Written Answers. - Naval Service.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

65 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence if he will expand on the points made in the speech he made at a commissioning ceremony on 3 September 1998 and, in particular, the comments made in relation to remarks by members of the Naval Service in relation to the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22853/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

In my speech at the commissioning ceremony of the 36th Naval Cadet Class at the Naval Base, Haulbowline on 3 September 1998, I focused on the achievements of the three naval officers who had worked so hard to achieve their commissions.

During the course of my speech, I also referred to the challenging roles the Naval Service presents to its personnel working as they do on the high seas, sometimes in very severe weather conditions.

I spoke on the Price Waterhouse report on the Air Corps and Naval Service and made the point that implementation of the recommendations in the report will lead to a stable future for both services. I said that there are many recommendations in the report which would be acted on immediately and which would not have to await the White Paper on Defence. On recruitment, I announced that up to 200 extra recruits are to be taken on in the Defence Forces, of which 70 were to be allocated specifically to the Naval Service. In addition, 14 Naval Service cadetships had just been offered to successful candidates and advertisements were appearing from 3 September 1998 for the filling of 17 apprenticeship posts in the Naval Service.

On new investment, I said that the new Naval Service ship would be ready in September 1999. The new galley in the base at a cost of £2 million is almost complete and tenders had been received in the Department of Defence for the upgrading of the medical centre in the base at a cost of £400,000.

During a press conference following my speech, I made the point that all personnel in the Naval Service should concentrate on the positive image of the service rather than on highlighting its weakness. If such weaknesses exist, then it was up to the Naval Service personnel to come forward with solutions in these problems.