Mr. Eoin Gilbey:

As I outlined previously, the Flag Officer is aiming for a more technologically advanced Naval Service Reserve. Last week 16 members of the Limerick unit, including me, volunteered for an oil pollution exercise in the Shannon Estuary which involved unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned autonomous underwater vehicles operating off the LE Orla and the Irish Lights ship Granuaile. It led on from our involvement in UL and was an introduction to the operation of remotely-operated vehicles. As I stated earlier, this would be for port control reasons, scanning the seabed and hydrological surveys. We will also continue the role we have had for the past 15 years of supplementing Naval Service vessels, sending younger members out to sea and various other maritime activities such as regattas. The Waterford unit conducts many searches on behalf of the Garda Síochána. Mr. Morris will outline what he does on the ships.