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

Is it the LE Aisling? Very well. I presume the retirement or the standing down of some of these vessels is envisaged over a period and perhaps the Minister can outline to members the proposals in this regard and the timeframe being considered because I appreciate some of these vessels are getting on a bit. In addition, as part of the enormous amount of money that has been both expended and saved in the procurement of new vessels, I am sure there is an ongoing fleet replacement programme. Perhaps the Minister can outline the Department's proposals for future replacements of older vessels currently in the fleet such as the LE Eithneand theLE Aisling. I do not know how old the LE Orlaand theLE Ciaraare but the Minister might inform me in his response.

I echo the sentiments of the Chair regarding the retirement of the Chief of Staff - I was going to say Secretary General - and commend the work he completed in recent years. Over the 25 or 30 years since I was a young boy, I have always been greatly interested in the conduct of the Naval Service, the Air Corps and the Army, particularly in respect of peacekeeping and similar matters. They rightly are a source of immense pride among Irish citizens. The Minister has rolled out a recruitment programme, which is welcome, and obviously, as has been mentioned, fleet renewal across all three services will be improved.

I revert to a matter on which I have touched three or four times as we have discussed the Estimates over the years, namely, the ministerial air transport service, MATS. Is there an update, for instance, on the aircraft that currently is in the United States? Has it been sold? I believe it has been but perhaps the Minister can update the joint committee in this regard and on the sort of money the Department might have received for that aircraft.