Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assume that relates to the issue the Minister mentioned earlier about a new contract for a new vessel to supplement the existing fleet. Has a vessel being identified to be taken out of operation in light of the new vessel that has being ordered at 2012 prices that the Minister mentioned and, if so, which vessel will be it be or has that decision been made? The Minister said the cost would be based on 2012 prices and at the time of the launch of the Samuel Beckett, which I had the pleasure of attending along with the chairman and others, I did some research and found that the price the Government of the day paid for that vessel was extraordinarily cheap on some comparatives I found for vessels of similar yardage. Given the age of our fleet, is there a proposal to have a gradual replacement programme and will that include other vessels as our economic circumstances improve?

Has any consideration been given to naming this vessel? Our literary greats in history are lining up and I am sure that certain names spring to mind.