I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 115 together.
The main day to day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. The 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. Other tasks carried out by the Naval Service include search and rescue operations, aid to the civil power, drugs interdiction at sea, salmon fishery patrols and assistance with oil pollution control at sea.
The strength of the Naval Service is kept under constant review in the light of operational requirements. I propose to maintain a policy of continuous recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force and in this regard a recruitment campaign for over 500 general service recruits has just been launched. The first intake of 275 recruits, of which approximately 65 will be allocated to the Naval Service, will be enlisted in the near future. Seventeen apprentices are also being recruited and a competition for the recruitment of 14 cadets into the Naval Service will be advertised by my Department shortly.
The Naval Service is equipped with a total of seven vessels comprising one helicopter carrying vessel, four offshore patrol vessels and two coastal patrol vessels. A new fishery protection patrol vessel is currently under construction and is due to be delivered in September next.
The Government considered the Price Waterhouse reviews of the Air Corps and the Naval Service in the middle of last year. A planning and implementation process has been set in train to give effect to the Government's decision. I have asked the Chief of Staff in conjunction with the GOC of the Air Corps and the Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service to submit implementation plans for my consideration to give effect to the effectiveness and efficiency recommendations in the Price Waterhouse report. In parallel, and as part of the general White Paper process, I have asked for a submission from the Chief of Staff to address the long-term air and sea requirements of the State which would form the basis of the longer-term development of the Air Corps and Naval Service and which will be supported by the ongoing effectiveness and efficiency measures. I understand that a considerable amount of work has been done and I would expect to receive draft proposals for my consideration in the near future. These proposals will include, inter alia, organisation, personnel, infrastructure and options in relation to future equipment for both the Naval Service and the Air Corps.