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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 6

Written Answers. - Naval Service Vessels.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

162 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the reason the new Naval Service patrol ship, LE Róisín, had to be withdrawn from service; the extent of the damage to the vessel; if the cost of the repairs have been borne by the shipbuilder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8795/00]

An inspection of the hull of the LE Róisín undertaken during the course of a routine patrol earlier this year revealed that a section of the bilge keel was missing from the forward port side of the hull. There are three other similar sections on the hull and these were found to be intact.

The missing section was a narrow steel plate, measuring approximately five metres long by 750 millimetres deep, which was welded perpendicularly to the hull to reduce the roll of the vessel.

The LE Róisín was dry-docked in Cork dockyard and four new bilge keels of improved design were fitted; all costs involved were borne by the shipbuilder under warranty. The vessel is currently operational and on patrol.

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