Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Looking at the Estimate itself, I note some alarming figures, given that we are now facing into Brexit. This is going to impose greater obligations on our Defence Forces and our Naval Service. We should be hearing about this and talking about it before it happens. The Naval Service had 1,376 vessel patrol days in 2016. In 2017, that figure was 1,171. There were 200 fewer patrol days for the Naval Service. In 2016 the Air Corps had 4,287 operational flight hours. In 2017 it flew 3,271. There was a decrease of in excess of 1,000 flight hours between 2016 and 2017. Whether we like it or dislike it, Brexit is going to cause us major problems. We cannot allow a situation where Air Corps operational flights are reduced by more than 1,000 hours and the Naval Service's activity is reduced by about 260 patrol days.

These are important issues at which we need to look and for which we need to be prepared because Brexit is only 12 months down the road. We need to examine how we can bolster both the Naval Service and the Air Corps in patrolling and protecting our waters. It will be a new ball game. The figures have been presented factually but they are alarming. Not to take away from the great work being done by both the Naval Service and the Air Corps, but these figures are alarming when considering how they can protect our shores and assets locally.

While we may not have the time today to examine all these issues, I suggest that the Minister of State considers coming back to the committee to discuss the impact of Brexit on the Naval Service and the Air Corps. There is no point in waiting until D-Day to discover we have serious problems. I am not blaming the Minister of State but there is obviously a reason for this. Whether it is lack of personnel or the fact that we are engaging in other activities, we have to look after our assets and ensure that our fisheries are protected. I am just highlighting the fact that these figures are alarming.