Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 June 2018
77. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which he remains satisfied regarding the ability of the Naval Service to deal with an emergency that may arise in the context of security or rescue missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28045/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the State’s principal sea-going agency, and in accordance with international and domestic law, the Naval Service, through its patrols, undertakes a variety of functions in the maritime domain in accordance with its role in contributing to maritime security. This encompasses the provision of support to other Government Departments and Agencies such the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners and the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority. The Defence Forces will continue to provide a range of supports to these Bodies in accordance with its roles in aid to the civil power and to the civil authority and as set out in the applicable Memoranda of Understanding and Service Level Agreements.
All Naval Service vessels are multi-tasked in the sense that, in addition to their fishery protection role, they also undertake general surveillance, security, pollution monitoring, and search and rescue in support to the Irish Coast Guard, amongst other duties while on patrol. These activities assist in detecting and preventing emergency situations throughout Ireland's maritime jurisdiction.
The White Paper on Defence underpins the ongoing replacement of the Naval Service fleet. The most significant investment of recent years by the Defence Organisation has been on the procurement of the new Off-Shore Patrol Vessels for the Naval Service. The Naval Service Vessel Replacement Programme has seen the delivery of three new Naval Service vessels. The LÉ Samuel Beckett was commissioned in May 2014, LÉ James Joyce was commissioned in September 2015 and LÉ William Butler Yeats was commissioned into service in October 2016. A fourth ship, to be named LÉ George Bernard Shaw is scheduled for delivery later this year.
I am satisfied that the Naval Service are equipped and resourced to deal with an emergency that may arise in the context of security or rescue missions, were they to occur.
