Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:647. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the LE Aisling was retired from service and the reason it took a year to put it up for sale. [15322/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 28 March 2017
Ceisteanna (647)
Freagraí scríofa
LE Aisling was decommissioned in June 2016 following 36 years of outstanding service to the State.
There are a number of recognised methods for disposing of a ship which has reached the end of its effective or economic service life within the Naval Service. Options available include the donation, or sale by way of public auction which can allow for the refurbishment and reuse of a vessel by a secondary party. Such uses can include operational restoration for further life as a ship, or for use as a museum.
Following the decommissioning of LE Aisling, there was a request from Galway City Council for the vessel to be donated to the people of Galway to be used as a floating museum. In this regard I indicated that I wished to give the matter the fullest consideration and requested Galway City Council to provide a fully costed feasibility study for the use of the former LE Aisling by the Council. In the absence of the requested proposal I decided that the vessel would be put up for sale by way of public auction and I instructed officials from my Department to proceed with the arrangements for the sale.
In this context the former LE Aisling was offered for sale by public auction in Cork on Thursday 23 March 2017. The vessel was sold for the sum of €110,000 to a Dutch shipbroker, and the necessary paperwork is being finalised to allow for the removal of the vessel from the Naval Base in Haulbowline.