Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In response to the questions on Operation Pontus from both Deputies, I received the review of the 2016 mission from the Defence Forces last Friday week, before I went on my St. Patrick's Day trip to Lebanon. I have looked at the review but I have not had a chance to consider it. I am due to meet the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General of my Department next week or the following week and following that I will bring a proposal to the Cabinet shortly. Personally, I am very much in favour of continuing with the mission. As I outlined in my opening statement, a total of 15,600 migrants were rescued by the Naval Service.

My view is that we will remain involved if we are able to carry out our own operations while Operation Pontus continues. When Operation Pontus began in 2015 we had 1,204 patrol days and in 2016 when the operation continued we were able to proceed with 1,376 patrol days. A total of 1,079 fishery vessel boardings were carried out in 2015 and 1,249 in 2016. We work very closely with the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, SFPA, regarding patrol days and fishery vessel boardings. Members appreciate that the fish quota system is very important to us as an island nation. We are working very closely with the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority in terms of Brexit and all issues relating to it such as fish quotas, boardings and other matters we can expect to emerge following Brexit. The SFPA is the lead agency and the Naval Service carries out whatever missions it specifies.

I fully agree with what Deputy Barrett said about the Army Equitation School. I am fully committed to it. Last year we completed a project for a new arena which cost a considerable sum. We also bought four new horses last year. The equitation school is very important to the Defence Forces and the State. I am fully committed to it, as are the Department and the Defence Forces. That will continue to be the case under my remit, and I hope it will be the case for whoever comes after me.

Deputy McLoughlin inquired about a fourth ship. I hope we will take delivery of it in mid-2018. The procurement of the Cessna replacement is progressing and I hope it will be finalised shortly. The new CASA aircraft is expected in early 2019.