Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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219. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will ensure in the future that historically significant vessels, such as LÉ Éithne and the Naomh Éanna, will be evaluated and feasibility studies carried out by his Department to consider potential heritage options are fully considered before any decisions about their future are made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5886/24]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The future use of naval vessels currently in service or that have been decommissioned is a matter for the Department of Defence. My Department would of course consider any request by the Department of Defence to assist with undertaking a heritage feasibility study.

It should be noted that the primary responsibility of my Department in relation to maritime heritage (under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014) is the protection and preservation of wrecks and archaeology lying on, in or under the sea bed or on or in land covered by water.